2206                                               VETOES

VETOES
Titles and Messages

Senate Bill No. 4

AN ACT concerning

Hunting - Use of Lead Shot

FOR the purpose of prohibiting the promulgation of any rule
or regulation which bans or limits the use or
possession of lead shot ammunition while hunting wild
waterfowl; making this prohibition apply
notwithstanding the pertinent federal regulations;
prohibiting the State from undertaking certain actions;
and generally relating to the use or possession of lead
shot.

May 29, 1979
Honorable James Clark, Jr.
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the
Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill 4.

This bill would prohibit the promulgation of any
administrative rule or regulation which bars or limits the
use or possession of lead shot ammunition while hunting wild
waterfowl; would make the prohibition applicable
notwithstanding pertinent federal regulations; and would
prohibit the State and its agencies from enforcing any ban
or limit on the use or possession of lead shot ammunition.

The "lead shot" controversy has been with us over the
course of the last several years. It presents a difficult
issue for decision, and any action I take with respect to
this measure is not likely to lessen the dispute.
Nevertheless, after careful deliberation and consideration
of the arguments presented by both the proponents and
opponents of this measure, I have concluded that there is
abundant and compelling scientific evidence that the
ingestion of spent lead shot pellets is responsible for the
annual lead poisoning of hundreds of thousands of bottom
feeding waterfowl. I also find convincing evidence that
steel shot is an effective and efficient alternative to lead
shot. Finally, in the face of the Declaration of Rights'
solemn declaration that the Constitution of the United
States and the Laws made in pursuance thereof are the