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July 05, 2007

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OSHA Rules Could Devastate Ammo Industry

Multiple red flags shot up early this week when leading firearms and ammunitions manufacturers and trade organizations became aware of a series of regulations proposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the government agency charged with assuring the safety and health of American workers.

At the heart of the potentially dangerous regulations is OSHA’s indiscriminate definition of ammo, powder and primers as “explosives.”

If implemented, industry representatives say the new rules could have a dramatic effect on the storage and transportation of ammo and reloading components, including primers and black and smokeless gunpowder. Osha

Among the many provisions, the proposed rule changes would:

  • Prohibit possession of firearms in commercial “facilities containing explosives,” thus creating an obvious dilemma for all types and sizes of gun and sporting goods stores.

  • Prohibit delivery drivers from leaving “explosives” unattended, preventing services such as UPS and Fed-Ex from delivering ammo or gunpowder to individuals or dealers—while effectively destroying the online and catalog/mail order ammo sales business.

  • Require evacuation of all “facilities containing explosives” during any electrical storm. (Think about any Wal-Mart or sporting goods store that carries ammo.)

  • Prohibit smoking within 50 feet of “facilities containing explosives.”

    The National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Association are all preparing comment on the proposed OSHA regulations, stressing the severe effect such regulations would have on the availability of ammunition and reloading supplies to safe and responsible shooters across the country.

    Currently, the public comment period on the proposed rules is scheduled to end July 12, though attempts are currently underway to extend the period by 60 days.

    Industry leaders are not mincing words about the potential impact such regulations might have on the industry, if implemented.

    “As written, the proposed rule would force the closure of nearly all ammunition manufacturers and force the cost of small arms ammunition to skyrocket beyond what the market could bear--essentially collapsing our industry,” read this week’s press release from the NSSF.

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    Comments

    sounds like one more backdoor way to attempt regulatory gun/ammunition control.

    We can never sleep.This had better be nipped in the bud!!!!

    I am opposed to the OSHA regulation as it will destroy the shooting industries.

    It is unfortunate that our congress can not understand that implementing these rules will lead to the downfall of our country.(Illegal emigrant,etc.)
    Politicians are oblivious to anything except the games they play.
    They can not understand the concept that an armed country is a safe country.

    This is so ridicolous just another way to try and impose gun control.This is why we should all vote.

    This is another case of OSHA overstepping there mandate for worker safty. If this allowed to happen, our government is going to hell in a hand basket. OSHA is not into gun cantrol.

    How can OSHA over rule the 2nd amendment. The right to own and bear SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED UPON<<<<<<<

    Another aphabet agency making "law regulations". They begin scheduled meetings with raised fists and cadence shouting, "We got the power!!"

    It will get worse before getting better, I fear.
    signed:
    Ret. Peace Officer. (remember, law enforcers are the jury. No one else.)

    YES This is one election when all Sportsmen better vote although the choices are poor.

    Those elected by us, and those not elected by us can all be removed from their so called positions of power. If they take our guns ... they keep their power.

    This sounds like another backdoor attempt for gun control by the bleeding heart liberials who want to abolish the 2nd amendment.They will continue their crusade unless "We The People" take control with grassroots lobbying and get out and vote !

    Our outstanding Goverment ( For The People )????? Will try anything, VOTE. I know pickins are slim.

    Two words if you really want freedom:


    CONSTITUTION PARTY

    "....although the choices are poor."

    Not so Higgins. Fred Thompson will run. Its just a matter of time before he announces his run for office. And when voting time comes around, us freedom loving Americans need to vote for him. He will be a great friend to the gun community. Thompson was against all gun control ideas when he was in the senate.
    Fred Thompson '08!

    This is the first time I heard of this new scheme by the anti-gun lobby. We have to pass this around and flood the Congress with protests. The fight continues as they try to sell out our country.
    Retired Police Office, USMC Vietnam veteran.

    This is the first time I heard of this new scheme by the anti-gun lobby. We have to pass this around and flood the Congress with protests. The fight continues as they try to sell out our country.
    Retired Police Office, USMC Vietnam veteran.

    If the voters let this go through we will have no ammo to fight with.Our firearms will be useless except as clubs.We cannot allow this to pass.

    THIS IS CRAZY, WHAT IS THE GOVERMENT THINKING. THIS MUST STOP NOW.I WILL VOTE
    TO KEEP ANY LEGISLATOR OUT OF OFFICE THAT
    SUPPORTS THIS. THEY WILL TRY ANYTHING.