HUNT FOR TRUTH RESPONSE TO THE HUFFINGTON POST – AB 711 LEAD AMMUNITION BAN
ON AUGUST 22, 2013. POSTED IN LATEST NEWS
There’s been no shortage of passion on both sides of the debate about whether to ban lead ammunition throughout the state of California via proposed Assembly Bill (AB) 711. However, an open, honest discussion can suffer when the facts become distorted by misleading media accounts.
The Huffington Post recently authored an inaccurate and what most would consider, a disparaging article regarding the Hunt For Truth website which was picked up by other blogs and publications. The article misrepresented the content & context of the website, claiming that the NRA was “targeting” scientists, environmental groups, and public zoos as “enemies” through the Hunt For Truth website. MSNBC then compounded the inaccuracies by reporting on their show "Politics Nation" that the NRA was now targeting Yun Zi the Panda at the San Diego Zoo by virtue of "a new enemies list" as a "threat to freedom".
In order to generate a scandalous headline, The Huffington Post selectively incorporated a derisive context without regard for accuracy, verification or the standard protocol of contacting the source for response. One would expect more from a political publication, but perhaps the burden of competing within a media landscape increasingly dependent upon salacious headlines overwhelmed basic journalistic standards.
Hunt For Truth has provided fair and correct descriptions of organizations on our website, often based upon the organizations’ own mission statement or website description. The Huffington Post failed to note that website listings of organizations who both support and oppose the lead ammunition bans have functioned as a repository of organizations who have participated in the debate. There was never any intent to list only those organizations, individuals, groups or … pandas … who have expressed support for the bill. The Huffington Post merely pieced together a mash-up of edited passages, wrapped within a context that completely mischaracterized the intent and function of the website.
The Hunt For Truth website was originally designed as a resource for hunters, recreational shooters, legislators and agency personnel to assist in better understanding the complex issues, science and discussion surrounding the debate. The fact that the website addresses topics of interest to hunters does not justify the unfair presentation by the Huffington Post. To fuse together such egregious headlines from generic website listings of organizations, irresponsibly reduces an important legislative policy debate to an exercise in rhetorical bluster.
Opposition to AB 711 is far broader than Hunt For Truth, the 24 groups who oppose the bill, or the NRA. A diverse cross-section of conservation activist groups, hunters and California residents oppose the misleading nature of the bill, the unverified scientific research used to justify it, the refusal of researchers to provide the original data behind their studies for evaluation, and the circumvention of the Fish & Game Commission review process. Opposition to the California bill AB 711 is also based on the following:
1. The type of metallic lead used in lead ammunition is not nearly as soluble or bioavailable as the toxic industrial lead used in legacy paint and gasoline, does not present the same hazard to wildlife, and should not be subject to the same restrictions.
2. Toxic blood-lead levels have not decreased in California Condors since a 2008 law (AB 821) banned the use of lead ammunition in all areas where condors are found. This 5-year ban has failed to produce the measurable results necessary to seek an extension of a failed program to statewide levels.
3. Researchers have disputed the use of isotopic compositional analysis relied upon for scientific support of AB 711 to determine the source of lead in the blood of an organism.
4. The researchers at UC Santa Cruz who have supported AB 711 refuse to release all of the original data for their (partially publicly funded) studies pursuant to Public Records Act requests. Independent researchers have serious concerns regarding the UC researchers’ use of selectively culled data in their papers.
These are all valid concerns that have taken a backseat to a growing list of sensational, misleading headlines. Hunt For Truth welcomes a fair and robust debate regarding AB 711 based upon factual evidence and without the acrimony or fallacious media headlines that completely mischaracterize the position of opposing parties.
Groups Opposing AB 711
Boone & Crockett Club * Campfire Club of America * Catch a Dream Foundation *
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation * Conservation Force * Delta Waterfowl * Ducks
Unlimited * Masters of Foxhounds Foundation * Mule Deer Foundation * National Rifle
Association * National Shooting Sports Foundation * National Trappers Association *
National Wild Turkey Federation * North American Bear Foundation * Pope & Young
Club * Quality Deer Management Association * Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation * Ruffed
Grouse Society * Safari Club International * U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance * Whitetails
Unlimited * Wild Sheep Foundation * Wildlife Management Institute * Wildlife Forever
Group Letter of Opposition to AB 711
Senator Pavley Letter California AB711
Sincerely,
Hunt For Truth