Hello Folks,

Since no explanation was given in the original post, I went looking. This is the only reference I could find that was directly attributable to Barnes Bullets.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/Barnes%20Position%20Statement%20CA%20non-lead%202008a.pdf

Barnes Bullets Does Not Support A Lead Ban
It has come to our attention that negative allegations are being circulated about Barnes Bullets’
involvement in the California lead ban issue. To clarify, Barnes has not funded or supported
efforts to further the advancement of any lead ban, nor will we ever.
Barnes is a bullet manufacturer. We are not biologists and have no expertise in this field;
however, it is our position that this type of legislation or any legislation further restricting hunters
and shooters their freedom of choice of products they care to use on the range and in the field is
a threat and devastating to the hunting and shooting industry and community.
Bullet performance is what drives Barnes' designs. Whether a Barnes bullet contains a lead core
or not depends on the desired terminal performance. Barnes currently offers several lines of
products manufactured from lead-free materials that were developed for their performance
characteristics. These products happen to meet the criteria set forth under the Condor
Preservation Act. However, Barnes still manufactures its premium Original™ line of jacketed,
lead-cored bullets. A lead ban removes the very foundation on which the company was built.
When Randy Brooks developed the all-copper X-Bullet in the mid 1980's, it never even crossed
his mind that this bullet would one day be considered environmentally friendly. He simply wanted
a more reliable bullet that would retain its weight, penetrate deeply, and create a devastating
wound cavity.
Copper bullets are far more difficult to manufacture than lead-cored bullets. Copper bullets
require advanced technology and tooling, and increased testing during production to produce a
superior product. In the impact extrusion manufacturing process, lead flows like water compared
to copper. Copper is hard on both tooling and equipment, but the results are a bullet that delivers
the best terminal performance on game.
Barnes Bullets was invited, along with other manufacturers, to give a presentation to the
California Fish & Game Commission about lead-free products offered by their respective
companies in August, 2007. It was our intent to provide information to the commission at their
request (as stated by Commissioner John Carlson in this meeting). You can view the presentation
Barnes gave at this meeting by going to www.cal-span.org, click on Fish & Game Commission on
the left-hand side navigation menu, then scroll down to the August 27, 2007 meeting and click the
“Complete” link to view the meeting. The Barnes presentation begins at 3:06:30 and ends at
3:22:00.
Barnes Bullets will continue to offer products manufactured from materials that enhance
performance, just as we have done for over 75 years. Further information regarding the Barnes
products may be obtained from our website at www.barnesbullets.com. Our free DVD “Bullet
Myths Busted” is available through the website or by calling toll-free 1.800.574.9200.