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HD 3518

An Act relative to the use of shotgun ammunition for hunting

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jon Zlotnik

Massachusetts bill restricts shotgun hunting ammunition types, likely banning lead shot to reduce environmental contamination and wildlife exposure to toxic materials.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 3518

Legislative bill overview

HD 3518 restricts the types of shotgun ammunition permitted for hunting in Massachusetts, likely focusing on banning lead shot in favor of non-toxic alternatives like steel or tungsten. The bill aligns with environmental and public health concerns about lead contamination in soil and waterways from hunting activities.

Why is this important

Lead ammunition has been documented to contaminate hunting areas, water sources, and wildlife populations, with potential secondary poisoning effects on scavengers and raptors. This legislation addresses both environmental remediation and hunter safety by promoting adoption of safer ammunition standards, similar to regulations already implemented in other states and waterfowl hunting contexts.

Potential points of contention

  • Economic impact on hunters: Non-toxic ammunition alternatives are typically more expensive than traditional lead ammunition, potentially increasing costs for recreational and subsistence hunters
  • Enforcement challenges: Monitoring compliance across private hunting lands and ensuring proper ammunition disposal could strain wildlife enforcement resources
  • Effectiveness concerns: Debate over whether ammunition restrictions effectively solve lead contamination problems compared to other intervention strategies like habitat management or ammunition buyback programs

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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