Lead and extremely loud noises are terrible for an unborn child. It could cause hearing damage before they're even born.

Basically this. Gunshots are terrible for an unborn child's hearing if you're pregnant and doing the shooting. You can protect your own ears, but not the baby's. The fat surrounding the uterus may provide some protection but the amniotic fluid a great conductor of sound. Best to not risk it unless in a serious self-defense situation.

Also, lead can cause various neurological and developmental issues. Unlikely in the likely small quantities that its being exposed to here (i.e. outdoors, hopefully washed up well, afterwards) but why risk it? Babies & children should have zero lead exposure due to their susceptibility to it.

You don't even have to handle the rounds. The primers in many cartridges are either lead styphnate, barium nitrate, or mercury fulminate (corrosive primers). The combustion of just that will be expelled through the barrel and/or chamber/breech of the firearm. Probably not a huge issue for recreational use for older (teens and up) shooters, but for babies it can be extremely hazardous as well.

Lead and extremely loud noises are terrible for an unborn child. It could cause hearing damage before they're even born.

Basically this. Gunshots are terrible for an unborn child's hearing if you're pregnant and doing the shooting. You can protect your own ears, but not the babies. The fat surrounding the uterus may provide some protection but the amniotic fluid a great conductor of sound. Best to not risk it unless in a serious self-defense situation.

Also, lead can cause various neurological and developmental issues. Unlikely in the likely small quantities that its being exposed to here (i.e. outdoors, hopefully washed up well, afterwards) but why risk it? Babies & children should have zero lead exposure due to their susceptibility to it.

You don't even have to handle the rounds. The primers in many cartridges are either lead styphnate, barium nitrate, or mercury fulminate (corrosive primers). The combustion of just that will be expelled through the barrel and/or chamber/breech of the firearm. Probably not a huge issue for recreational use for older (teens and up) shooters, but for babies it can be extremely hazardous as well.