Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (TX-36) today introduced the Alternative Ammunition Manufacturing Act (H.R. 3802) to ensure ammunition manufactures have the certainty they need to produce alternative types of ammo. H.R. 3802, which is endorsed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), National Rifle Association (NRA), and Gun Owners of America (GOA), requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to issue a ruling within 60 days of receiving a waiver application, or else the application will be automatically granted.
“Over the past three and a half years, the ATF has failed to respond in a reasonable and timely manner to requests from ammunition manufacturers who are seeking waivers to produce alternative rifle ammunition for the hunting market made with brass instead of lead or copper,” said Rep. Brian Babin. “This has created considerable uncertainty for ammunition manufacturers and gun owners alike. Manufacturers looking to comply with the law and produce alternative types of ammunition should not be given the silent treatment by the ATF. Our legislation will hold the ATF accountable for their inaction by requiring a timely and detailed response to all waiver requests.”
“This legislation will allow ammunition manufacturers to more quickly bring to market alternative hunting ammunition products to serve consumers in markets like California where traditional ammunition is banded for hunting and for those hunters who prefer to use alternative products,” said Lawrence Keane, Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary & General Counsel of the National Shootings Sports Foundation.
“If the Obama Administration wants these companies to use alternative materials when producing ammunition then they have to tell them what those materials are. It shouldn’t be a secret,” said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox. “On behalf of the NRA and our five million dues-paying members, we thank Congressman Babin for his efforts to require ATF do their job and answer waiver requests within 60 days or provide a detailed explanation for their denial.”
“Gun Owners of America is very grateful for Rep. Babin’s leadership and his willingness to address this issue head on.” said Chris Stone, Director of Federal Affairs for Gun Owners of America. “Ammunition manufacturers should have the freedom and legal reassurance to produce new forms of ammunition without constant stonewalling from the ATF. H.R. 3802 holds the government accountable and prevents them from ignoring law-abiding manufactures.”
Babin was joined by fifteen original cosponsors in introducing the Alternative Ammunition Manufacturing Act (H.R. 3802). The list includes Reps. Mo Brooks (R-AL), Chris Collins (R-NY), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Bill Johnson (R-OH), David Joyce (R-OH), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Jeff Miller (R-FL), Ted Poe (R-TX), Mike Rogers (R-AL), Pete Sessions (R-TX), and Ryan Zinke (R-MT).