No Bullets for you Varmints!

OSHA, typically confines its burdensome regulations to America’s employers. Not anymore.

Last week I learned of a new effort by OSHA to
limit your Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms by proposing new regulations on “explosives.” Now, to you and me and most everybody else, the word “explosives” pretty much means one thing: Dynamite or at least one its related cousins like the military’s C4 or its ugly sister from eastern Europe, Semtex. But, if you recall your Saturday morning cartoons, Yosemite Sam had a penchant for kegs of black powder. Black powder was once considered the explosive of choice some 200 years ago before Nobel came up with dynamite.

Typically, the only people who have occasion to handle black powder are classic arms enthusiasts who prefer antique weapons. But now OSHA wants to add a few new pieces to the definition of explosive by claiming that ammunition is gonna blow up the Walmart!

The proposed new rules would have a dramatic effect on the storage and transportation of ammunition (that means bullets, Earl) and handloading components such as primers or black and smokeless powder. The proposed rule indiscriminately treats ammunition, powder and primers as “explosives.” Among many other provisions, the proposed rule would:

    * Prohibit possession of firearms in commercial “facilities containing explosives”—an obvious problem for your local gun store.
    * Require evacuation of all “facilities containing explosives”—even your local Wal-Mart—during any electrical storm.
    * Prohibit smoking within 50 feet of “facilities containing explosives.”

The Deparment of Labor claims to have reigned OSHA in on this "minor" rule change.  But this is a clear example that Americans need to look closely at every piece of government intrusion into their lives for the real impact it may have on our freedom.  Remember, keep you powder dry!