Let me clarify for the sake of some of the other individuals who posted: I never suggested that I would escape penalty if caught carrying a handgun while bowhunting prior to the recent changes. In fact, I mentioned that I was glad that the recent changes made what I was already doinglegal.

Since the probability of encountering a Game Warden where I hunt is small (I hunt private land and have never seen one) and the probability of him knowing that I am carrying a handgun even smaller, the likelihood that I would face a penalty is even smaller than the chance that I would need the handgun. Based on this reasoning, the cost of disobeying Game Commission lawis less than the cost of not having the handgun, should I need it.

My only concern is one of personal conscience: I was breaking the law of PA, but does the Commonwealth of PA have the right to tell me (a law-abiding citizen) that I may not carry a handgun while bowhunting when the US Constitution says that carrying a firearm is a fundamental right? Clearly, they have the power to do so, but do they have the moral right?

Furthermore, is it right torestrict the freedom of individuals who have no intention of using the handgunfor improper purposes (poaching) to make it easier to catch individuals whodo?

While intelligent debate on this subject is worthwhile,insults directed toward individuals like myself who choose to carry a handgun while bowhunting are juvenile and unworthy of further comment.

As I stated before, I have no objection to anyone who choosesnot to carry a handgun while bowhunting. I accept their judgement that it is, for them, unnecessary. However, I do object to those individuals concluding thatbecause it is unnecessary for them, it should not be permitted for anyone to carry while bowhunting.