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California Could Become First State To Ban Lead Bullets

SACRAMENTO (CBSLA.com) — California could become the first state to ban lead ammunition.

KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports that the State Senate's natural resources committee has approved a bill that would ban the use of lead bullets by hunters in the state.

California Could Become First State To Ban Lead Ammo

The measure has already cleared the Assembly.

Jennifer Fearing, Director of the California Humane Society, said the ban is needed to protect animals and the environment from the dangerous effects of lead.

"We've gone to great lengths to take it out of paint and gasoline and children's toys, but it's entirely unregulated so far in ammunition and it continues to be put out into the environment by hunters," said Fearing.

Hunters are already prohibited from using lead ammunition in habitats where California Condors live.

The Assembly calls for the ban to take effect by 2016, while the Senate version would have the measure in place by 2018.

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