doughboysigep .. I see your points .. As for the topography between my place in NY and my place in PA is not much different. We do have a occasional accident in both of my areas but I think it is going to happen with either shotgun or rifle, Like tabby said a bullet is far more likely to hit a tree or the ground than anything else if it misses it's target ..
As for the "volley" My way of thinking is that if they make it rifle and not auto rifle the guys will take more time to make the first shot count than cranking out five shots like I hear so often by my place. I do not hear the volley of shots in my area of PA like I hear in NY ..
This is only my opinon and it will not make a difference in what the "big wigs" do but I don't see much of a down side to letting it go rifle .. Delaware county wich is rifle is much more populated and they don't seem to have any more problems than anywhere else. ... Be sure of your target and beyond is the key .. Bill