OSHA Threatening Ammo and reloading components - NO BS!

[MuzzleFlash]

The NSSF is definitely taking this seriously. That tells me I should too.

http://www.nssf.org/news/PR_idx.cfm?...R=BP070207.cfm

Proposed OSHA Regulation Threatens Firearm and Ammunition Industry

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the government agency charged with assuring the safety and health of America's workers, is proposing a regulatory rule affecting the manufacturing, transportation and storage of small arms ammunition, primers and smokeless propellants.

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. This is not an exaggeration. The cost to comply with the proposed rule for the ammunition industry, including manufacturer, wholesale distributors and retailers, will be massive and easily exceed $100 million. For example, ammunition and smokeless propellant manufacturers would have to shut down and evacuate a factory when a thunderstorm approached and customers would not be allowed within 50 feet of any ammunition (displayed or otherwise stored) without first being searched for matches or lighters.

NSSF and SAAMI have already had a preliminary meeting with OSHA officials to begin the process of explaining to them the major problems this proposed rule presents for all levels of the firearms and ammunition industry. Furthermore, NSSF and SAAMI are each seeking a 60 day extension of the public comment period (currently scheduled to expire July 12).

NSSF is urging all retailers to contact OSHA directly and request a 60-day extension of the public comment period. Retailers should inform OSHA that the proposed rule constitutes a "significant regulatory action" as defined in Executive Order 12866 (1993) Section 3(f)(1) in that it will clearly "adversely affect in a material way" the retail sector of the firearms and ammunition industry, productivity, competition and jobs and that the annual compliance cost for all retailers of ammunition will far exceed $100 million dollars.

Click here for a template letter. If you choose to draft your own letter, the reference line must read as follows:

RE: Docket No. OSHA–2007–0032
Request to Extend Public Comment Period and Request for Hearing on
"Significant Regulatory Action" as Defined in Executive Order 12866

Please fax the letter to: 202-693-1648 (include the docket number and Department of Labor/OSHA on the cover sheet and in the reference section of your letter).

Please e-mail the letter by visiting: http://www.regulations.gov and following the submission instructions.

[MuzzleFlash]

Howto post a comment online (must beat the 12-July deadline!):

Go to http://www.regulations.gov/

Follow the directions:

Step 1: the default is documents accepting public comment;
Step 2: Choose agency: scroll to the O's for "Occupational Safety & Health Administration";
Step 3: Narrow search by document type: Choose "Proposed Rule";
Step 4: Select Category: "Document ID" then type in "OSHA-2007-0032"

HIT SUBMIT

Click on Document ID: OSHA-2007-0032

This takes you to a new screen, it should be the first document OSHA-2007-0032-0001 that is the first document, click on the yellow comments symbol to the right, under the header "Add Comments".

This brings you to the comment screen fill in the appropriate information fields, fill in comments or add attachments and when you've completed that,
HIT NEXT STEP

I also wrote my congress critters (by fax since snail mail is delayed by days in Washington while they irradiate it).

[pickenup]

If they can't take your guns away.........well..........

[chrisguy]

Comment submitted.

Thanks for the heads-up 'Flash.

[shrapmetal]

i heard they already shut down talon who makes the cheap 50BMG rounds over contanimated soil. they told them they had to pay a $5,000,000 fine or turn over the keys to the factory.

[shrapmetal]

i think it might be more than a rumor. i can't find any info on the net but their phone, email, and website is all gone. i tried all 3. there is some info about leaking lead on the EPA website but it doesnt have what action was taken.

[Driftwood]

This seems like it would be a catastrophic enough development to not only the firearms/ammo industry, but the economy as a whole, right? Wow.

[teotwawki]

Buy your reloading supplies NOW - even if you don't reload, you'll be able to find presses cheap when this goes into effect.

Stack 'em deep or you won't be plinking or doing much of anything with your guns...

[FriedCheese]

Thanks Flash...

[chrisguy]

Small ray of light...

Looks like our pressure got a foot in the door, according to an email I got from RMGO last night:

As of 7/9/2007, the comment period has been extended to 9/10/2007 -- meaning we have time to motivate shooters and freedom advocates nationwide.

Definitely need to keep an eye on this one folks!

Happy shooting.