The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed a new federal regulation, OSHA-2007-0032, covering “explosives”. But the problem comes when they include “small arms ammunition (shotgun, rifle, pistol, or revolver cartridge) and small arms ammunition primers” to be included in the definition of “explosive”.
Their proposed rules, among other things, try to:
- Prohibit possession of firearms in commercial “facilities containing explosives” – an obvious problem for your local gun store.
- Require evacuation of all “facilities containing explosives” – even your local Wal-Mart – during any electrical storm.
- Prohibit smoking within 50 feet of “facilities containing explosives.”
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.
The National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute will all be commenting on these proposed regulations, based on the severe effect these regulations (if finalized) would have on the availability of ammunition and reloading supplies to safe and responsible shooters.
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
A customer still wouldn’t be able to purchase the ammunition because under this rule they are not allowed to carry it from the counter to the exit. Even more damaging, the many “mom and pop” firearm outlets located in strip malls would be forced to shutdown as they have neighbor stores fewer than 50-feet away.
But more voice is needed – voice from us average folk. The deadline for public comment was July 12, but they’ve extended it to 09/10/2007. Click the above link and make your voice heard.
Others blogging on this:
- The Gun Blogs
- Kim du Toit
- National Shooting Sports Foundation
- Of Arms And The Law
- Xavier Thoughts
- Gun Law News
