Lead exposure with certain ammo and certain guns is also an underappreciated problem. People shooting cheap, non-jacketed ammo from semi automatic rifles in particular, are basically stabding in lead dust clouds while they shoot. It gets on their hands, clothes and equipment, and that gets carried into their car and home where a steady concentration of background lead will build up over years. I seriously believe that if studied seriously, we'd see a direct inverse correlation between the most active hobby shooters and IQ.
this post was submitted on 18 Jul 2026
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It's slowly becoming more known. The indoor ranges in my area have started installing ventilation systems, banning pregnant women from entry, providing lead-removing soap in the bathrooms, encouraging people to use it, and posting signs about it in the bathrooms.
But still, many people either don't know or, even worse, know and don't care because "I ain't no sissy" or whatever.
Most effects of lead exposure are reversible with time though.
I think an even bigger problem that even more people don't think about is the fact that leaded gasoline is still used in airplane fuel (avgas). If you fly for a hobby or live under a flight path, you very likely have more lead in your blood than the most avid of shooters.
Wut??? Where are you from that indoor ranges aren't required to have proper filtration and ventilation? That shits the law here in the states. You can't open a indoor range without passing a ton of safety shit, and the fire Marshal will check it regularly.
is that a federal regulation? sounds like sissy states rights that aren't patriotic enough confound it tarnation etc
Lead is in primers too. Not just in the non jacketed bullet.
There sure is plenty empirical evidence to support your theory
So they say that the Army uses 4 PSI as a placeholder safety threshold while they gather data on this specific issue, but do say that threshold is based on prior not directly related research.
The .50 BMG is obv in a class of its own (completely smashing that threshold), but the only one that tickles at that threshold is the Desert Eagle (also a .50 caliber round).
Most of the firearms they tested rated in in the 1-2 PSI range....and as I was double checking that noticed their note: "Measurements shown are the average of the three highest readings for weapons fired from inside a range booth."
I don't mean to say there's nothing here, but this does feel alarmist. Nonetheless does seem like double hearing protection wouldn't be a bad idea.
It is interesting that a Model 1911 clocked in with a lower pressure wave than a "9mm pistol" (wonder which model(s) they tested). John Browning continues to flex from the grave.
The 1911 uses .45 and .45 is a subsonic ammunition, which means its muzzle velocity is below the speed to break the sound barrier, and doesn't produce a supersonic crack. The delisle carbine was a bolt action integrally suppressed rifle made from the Lee Enfield, re-chambered for .45 from .303 due to its subsonic nature and is known to be one of the quietest firearms to exist, and the round doesn't produce a loud crack.
Where 9mm isn't subsonic, it has a higher muzzle velocity and therefore would generate more atmospheric pressure, and a supersonic crack. This is why the world famous MP5SD, known for its total silence, was revolutionary. people say the only thing you hear is the bolt cycling. It has a perforated barrel that leaks enough of the gases out of the barrel into the suppressor. Infact, it leaks enough to actually prevent the 9mm from achieving supersonic speeds. They designed it this way so it doesn't have to use ammunition that is specifically filled to be subsonic, or to use a round that is inherently subsonic like .45.
So that is two examples of gun design history around trying to be quiet with ammunition, one designed around the ammo, and one around the gun.
I agree that it does feel alarmist, but to be fair, the article mentioned multiple times that the research isn't established just yet. In the end it sort of reminds me of the radiation doses from x-rays and CT scans. You have to weigh the potential risks with the potential benefits when deciding to practice with a firearm.
A 50ae from a desert eagle doesn't get anywhere close to that of a 50bmg. It's about 15% of the energy, if even, which is about the same as typical infantry rifles.
Caliber is probably is among the worst metrics for determining energy honestly
Came here to say this.
.50 AE and .50 BMG are worlds apart. Hell, even the difference between .45 ACP and .45-70 is pretty big.
4 psi is based on the army report for popping ear drums, more specifically for impact events like gun shots. Note, your ears can handle 4 psi if it's a slow ramp up so they can acclimate like diving in water.
In the range I've always worn double, though that only provides incremental increase in protection.
With double, I barely notice any typical round - it really is just background noise, though you can feel the pressure in your chest.
But something like a DE? Holy hell that was something else. WOOMP! I think you really feel even that more than you hear it.
This article seems like a tempest in a teapot.
This makes so much sense. Think of the demographics who partake in this and what the average IQ between them is.
People like me?
And all the other lgbt+ and poc I shoot with?
I mean, sure a couple aren't the brightest crayons in the box, but that's a pretty wide blanket statement
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https://www.npr.org/2026/01/11/nx-s1-5611025/why-more-liberals-are-buying-guns
These kind of people?
From your link:
No longer do firearm buyers fit the old stereo-type of being white, rural and Republican.
I think they meant those people. The ones who've been at it for decades. At very least they got a head-start at brain-deadness, i suppose. The liberals are gonna have a lot of shooting to do to catch up!
Yup the rural people that are notorious for not needing or using indoor ranges. Im liberal and from the sticks. People in rural areas are close minded and backwards for different reasons, not because of visiting indoor gun ranges that are a hundred miles away and would charge them for more than a friendly neighbors open field or legit outdoor range.
Hell where I'm at most people just shoot on their property. Don't need to pay no stinking range or be trapped indoor with your firearm fumes!
Good point! Never considered that.
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I bought a 9mm recently because I'm uncomfortable with the amount of Nazis and the state of this country. Is that the demographic you meant?
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Article posted November 2025 so this isn't really new info, but this is definitely a thing.
If you're firing anything high caliber or high velocity - including anything on the AR platform - you really need to either be outside, or have a suppressor.
I have a 50 yard home range and easily 90% of the time I shoot it's suppressed with subsonic ammo. The only time I'm shooting without suppressor is to practice with my edc or shotgun.
The only time I'm exposed to supersonic waves is the rare occasion I go to the gun club to train long range and that's always other people's firearms.
The article specifically mentioned indoor ranges so you’re probably good
Also a 50 yard home range sounds so nice
How many acres do you need to have a range like that? I’m shopping for cheap land
I have about 1.25 acres riverfront property, small but diverse and highly productive. I have water rights to the river, the irrigation behind my land and wells. I have a small old growth forest grove, some lawn, some pasture with gardens and orchards.
I have .6 acre, and I couldn't do my own range because I'd be hitting my neighbors house. I have friends with similar or less property that shoot all the time because they abut large swaths of woodland! All depends where you are at. If you want to make your own range, be super mindful of what's around your property and please make a big back stop for ur range!!!
Well, shit.
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