LEAD Act of 2024

The LEAD Act of 2024 prohibits the use of lead ammunition on all land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) within one year of enactment. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish regulations banning lead ammunition, except for specific exceptions like law enforcement, military personnel, and government officials performing non-wildlife duties. The bill mandates that only nonlead ammunition (containing 1% or less lead by weight) may be used, with civil penalties of up to $5,000 for violations. This directly affects hunters and recreational shooters using lead ammunition on federal lands under USFWS jurisdiction, such as national wildlife refuges. The law focuses on replacing lead ammunition with safer alternatives to protect wildlife, human health, and food supplies from lead contamination.