Attorneys for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) on Tuesday, Aug. 5, delivered a formal letter to the California Fish and Game Commission President Michael Sutton asking that he recuse himself from involvement in the drafting of regulations to implement AB711, the state law banning traditional ammunition for use in hunting, as well as any other issue related to lead ammunition or matters lobbied by California Audubon or Pacific Flyaway. Because of Sutton’s position as executive director with Audubon California, his involvement in the implementation of AB 711 regulations appears to violate state statutes and undermines public confidence in the commission’s impartiality and fairness in the regulatory process. An Important Message to All Californians We’ve seen too much corruption in government Demand transparency and impartiality from our officials Commissioner Michael Sutton, President of the California Fish & Game Commission, is drafting rules to ban traditional ammunition throughout California while being paid by the Audubon Society. California law and the principles of basic fairness demand that Commissioner Sutton recuse himself from this drafting process. In May 2012, Commissioner Sutton became head of Audubon California, the lobbying group that led the political and fundraising campaign to ban traditional ammunition. As a paid anti-hunting advocate and the executive director of the lobbying group that campaigned for the law, Commissioner Sutton is not neutral and cannot be objective. Hunters and sports men & women deserve a fair, impartial and transparent rule-making process. Call Commissioner Sutton and ask that he stand down now. (916) 653-4899
