Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) announced the re-introduction of the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year. The legislation will prohibit the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture from banning the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands and waters unless such regulation is consistent with state law and supported by science.

“As a lifelong hunter and recreational fisherman, I was appalled by the Biden-Harris administration’s quest to restrict access for our nation’s sportsmen and women who use traditional lead fishing tackle and ammunition on federal lands and waters,“ said Congressman Wittman. “We cannot allow a ridiculous ban like this to happen again. Effective environmental stewardship and wildlife conservation rely on the valuable contributions of our hunters and anglers, and affordable lead ammunition and tackle are crucial to reducing financial barriers that limit accessibility for sportsmen and women. I was proud to see this legislation pass the House last year, and I’m committed to securing its passage once again to advance it through the Senate and to the president’s desk.”

The bill is supported by the American Sportfishing Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Safari Club International, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, and National Rifle Association.

“Congressman Wittman is a champion for outdoorsmen and women across our country, and his work on the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act is the kind of sound policy we need in Congress,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman. “As an avid hunter and fisherman myself, I support this legislation to ensure hunting and fishing remain an easily accessible part of American life. I look forward to working to help usher it through the legislative process.”

Background:

Congressman Wittman originally introduced this legislation in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) decision to enter settlement negotiations with activist litigants like the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) over a lawsuit regarding the use of traditional ammunition and lead on over 3 million acres of federal land. In October 2023, the Biden-Harris administration issued a final rule to prohibit the use of lead ammunition and tackle in eight national wildlife refuges. The concern over the potential ban of lead ammunition and tackle is due to the fact that lead ammunition is easier and cheaper to make and more readily available for consumers. Banning its use would make hunting less accessible by increasing the financial barriers for sportsmen and women.

Read the full bill text here.

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