HuntingNet.com Forums - Study on the use of rifles versus shotguns

From the House Game & Fisheries Committee meeting on 3-14-05

HR 61 Semmel - (PN 233) Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on the use of rifles versus shotguns within this Commonwealth and recommend whether special regulation areas should be expanded. - The bill was reported as amended with Rep. Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill) voting in the negative.

On behalf of Rep. Paul Semmel (R-Lehigh), Chairman Smith stressed that the resolution is not an anti-hunting bill. He explained that the need for a study arose from a recent shooting in Lehigh County where a pregnant woman was shot while getting into her car.

Neville remarked that the Game Commission has kept data on hunting accidents since the 1990's, and at first glance, the data indicates that shotguns are more dangerous than rifles. He added that the Commission does not have the expertise to analyze the data, so the Commission supports having the study conducted by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee.

Democratic Chair Ed Staback (D-Lackawanna) noted that in the resolution, it states that the number of hunting accidents this year was high. He remarked that he was under the impression that the number of accidents was decreasing. Neville clarified that hunting is getting safer overall, but this year there were several high profile accidents. Rep. Staback then asked about the circumstances surrounding the shooting in Lehigh County, noting that he heard the shooting was over a horizon. Gregory Houghton, Assistant Director of the Game Commission's Bureau of Law Enforcement, replied the issue is hunter safety education, noting that knowing when it is not appropriate to shoot is basic hunting safety, which is why that case was charged as negligent shooting instead of accidental shooting.

Rep. Miller raised a concern with one section of the resolution, remarking that the language makes an assumption against rifles and she asked that the Committee adopt a verbal amendment to remove the section. Chairman Smith agreed to move the verbal amendment, noting that an amendment could not be drafted before Wednesday. The Committee voted to remove lines 4 and 5 on page two (which state "especially in light of increasing tragic incidents during recent hunting seasons; and") and lines 10-14 on page two (stating "WHEREAS, When comparing population densities in Pennsylvania's 67 counties, it appears to be inconsistent that center fire rifles remain lawful in counties with population density in excess of some of the counties which are now included within a special regulation area designation;"). Rep. Goodman voted against the amendment. To see a written version of the amendment (created by PLS), click here.