Commentaries

January 01, 2008: Perspectives on the use of lead bullets

 Commentaries is where Minnesota Public Radio welcomes your thoughtful opinion about current events and issues. Commentaries are like letters to the editor. To be considered for publication, your commentary should be issue-related, clearly written, and follow our Terms of Use. New insights into ongoing topics are especially welcome. Not all commentaries received are published. For topical interaction with others, visit the discussion groups.

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Today we share a collection of perspectives on the MPR News story: Lawmaker seeks to curtail hunters' use of lead bullets


How about supporting hunters?

This is just another politician jumping on the anti-hunter bandwagon. I am tired of watching our politicians trying to promote laws that they know little about.

I am 60 years old and have hunted since I was 15. I challenge our great politicans to have me checked for lead poisoning. I have consummed venison, ducks, geese, elk, moose, rabbit, squirrel - you get the idea - all my life.

How about jumping on the bandwagon to start supporting the hunting and fishing people that have been the driving force for years protecting our natural resources and land instead of falling for the backdoor tactics of the anti-hunting groups?

Kevin Rein
Forest Lake, Minn.


Should lead bullets be banned?

Now is is the perfect time to consider banning lead bullets.

In November, Minnesota voters approved with a wide margin the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to our state constitution. Goals include (among other things) improving water quality and wildlife habitat. Eliminating lead bullets will do both. Why would we continue to allow lead bullets to be shot into our lakes and forests (not all meet their mark) as well as into animals that may be eaten by children? While it seems like a no-brainer that we would want less lead in our environment, if additional research is truly needed, then let's use some of the new funds to do that research -- soon.

And let's consider the impact of lead bullets on wildlife, not just humans. We should not leave it up to individual hunters to make this choice.

Chris Bremer
Edina, Minn.


Lead bullets are too dangerous for animals and humans

Mark Johnson says there isn't a "traumatic influence" (from use of lead bullets) that warrants government regulation. Obiously, he hasn't seen a bald eagle or trumpeter swan suffering from the devastating effects of lead poisoning. As a volunteer for The Raptor Center, I have witnessed such traumatic tragedy.

Raptors, in particular, are at the top of the food chain; they serve as danger-indicators from humans and for the overall health of an eco-system. There is no pro-lead argument I've heard that even comes close to addressing the potential and existing suffering.

Sarah Bertsch
Hudson, Wisc.


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