The EPA Relents, Shows Some Sense

Never underestimate the power a simple letter or email can wield. It has been said that a single letter from a constituent represents the voice of a thousand people because the other 999 folks just didn’t bother to voice their position. A good example of this is the recent victory by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) concerning a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposing aban on traditional ammunition.

Started by The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), this established anti-hunting group called for a total ban on the production and distribution of traditional ammunition. Shortly after the NSSF made a call to action on its website, hundreds of blogs and websites linked to it. More than 5,000 people shared it with friends on Facebook, messaged it on Twitter and posted across a host of public online forums.

The EPA and elected representatives were quickly deluged by thousands of hunters and shooters across the country making their voices heard. Steve Owens, EPA assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, responded to this, maintaining that the EPA does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of ammunition under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and that it will not seek such authority. NSSF President Stephen L.

Sanetti acknowledged the effect that tens of thousands of people responding to this petition had on this decision. One letter, email, phone call, or vote may not mean much by itself but the accumulated effect can be huge. Complain to your friend on the neighboring bar stool all you like, but your words have no effect until you bother to make them heard by the right people in the proper forum. When accumulated, just one letter really does make a difference!

Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West Regular American Gunsmith contributor David Chicoine reports that he has a limited number of copies of the previously out-of-print Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West-2nd Edition available. This classic work had been selling for $95 and up from used book dealers. The 448 page soft cover tome features over 400 photos and expands on the first edition with five new handguns, four new long guns along with updated gunsmithing tips and advice.

All featured guns contain step-bystep illustrations demonstrating repair and upgrade work of old-west firearms. With Cowboy Action Shooting more popular than ever this could prove a handy reference for your clientele. New copies can be had for $49.95 plus $6.00 shipping direct from the author. Contact him at or