About
NOFLAC was conceived in Rochester, NY in 1999. While visiting friends who lived near a gun club, we were drawn to the fact that bullets and shot are generally made of lead, but we learned that there were no laws against discharging lead shot into the environment. This led us to further investigate this gun club and find out what preventive measures the gun club was using to keep lead and other metals from leaching into the soil and groundwater. What we found out shocked us. Gun clubs do not have to follow ANY rules, laws or even recommendations with regard to containing lead and metals contamination.
The simple, yet bizarre reason why gun clubs need not follow any environmental regulation; lead shot when used as intended it is not considered a pollutant. Lead shot fired from a gun is not considered lead pollution or a hazardous waste. But, if that same lead shot was propelled using a slingshot, the resultant lead and metals contamination would be classified as a hazardous waste.
As a result of our efforts and with the assistance of the EPA, we were able to see the local gun club develop an environmental stewardship plan that addressed some lead contamination concerns. While these efforts fall far short of a solution, they are at least an acknowledgment of the problem. Gun clubs and firing ranges should, at a minimum, develop an environmental stewardship plan for lead and metals.
The following is the environmental stewardship plan that was developed for the local gun club in Rochester, NY: GCL Environmental Stewardship Plan (500013-8).
NOFLAC was recognized with the March 2010 Environmental Site of the Month Award from RochesterEnvironment.com. We are honored by this recognition and we will use our resources to improve the environment in Rochester, NY and throughout the US.
We gladly accept your donations! Currently, your deduction is not tax deductible, since we do not have non-profit status. We are working to achieve non-profit status in the near future. Your donations will help us get the word out about the potential hazards of lead and metals contamination at outdoor shooting ranges. Please contribute securely using our PayPal button. Thank you!
Contact us for additional information: Email Us, or use the Contact Us Form
