Whoops: Most Bullets Are Already Made Of Recycled Lead

While I agree with the sentiment, the Washington Times report that Come 2014 all ammunition will have to be imported” is not quite correct.

As I have posted previously most of the lead used in the United States is from post consumer recycling; largely batteries. For 2010, the breakdown was:

1,400,000 tons were consumed:

115,000 tons of that were newly refined – and of that, 65,000 tons were exported, leaving 50,000 tons for domestic use.

275,000 tons were imported.

1,150,000 tons were recovered from scrap

Bringing the total supply, after exports to 1,475,000 tons of metal. So after Doe Run shuts down, there will be a slight shortage of metallic lead. But given the nosedive in the economy other uses for lead are likely to decline quickly. Meaning a long term shortage is not likely.

While there are few certainties in life, it appears that shutting down the Doe Run refineries will not force ammo makers to shut down. Although it may temporarily increase the price of lead a bit.

Continue reading here: What Are The Odds That Every Gun Control Law Up To This Point Could Have Failed By Chance

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