Posted on 12/06/2016 4:56:52 AM PST by marktwain
Arizona – -(Ammoland.com)- A number of states have unusual rules about what may be used for hunting and what may not. Pennsylvania had a law that forbid hunting with semi-automatic rifles and pistols.
They did not forbid hunting with semi-auto shotguns.
The hunter shown in the image from the Game Commission web site is using a semi-auto shotgun, probably to hunt deer, as she is wearing hunter orange and the shotgun has sights on it. This inconsistency helped in moving the reform forward. Laws are harder to reform than rules promulgated in hunting regulations. The Pennsylvania government changed this law to allow increasingly popular semi-auto rifles to be used for hunting. The law also removes the ban on using air guns for hunting. From abc27.com:
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Gov. Tom Wolf has signed legislation that removes a ban on hunting with semi-automatic rifles. Act 168 of 2016, formerly House Bill 263, also removes the ban on air- and gas-powered rifles.
Here is the wording of the new law, as shown in the HB 263. From state.pa.us:
§ 2308. Unlawful devices and methods.
(a) General rule.–Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to hunt or aid, abet, assist or conspire to hunt any game or wildlife through the use of:* * *
(2) A semiautomatic rifle or pistol, except as set forth in subsection (b.1).
* * *
[(5) Any device operated by air, chemical or gas cylinder by which a projectile of any size or kind can be discharged or propelled.]
* * *
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
IL does not allow rifles to be used for deer hunting.
Ohio allows only rifles with slower projectiles, similar to a shotgun. Like a 45-70. I may get this backward, but I believe the shell case has to be straight, it can’t have an indent.
..Semi-autos are accepted for hunting nearly everywhere. Full auto is not...
But, with this change liberals will twist this to say the law allows a machine gun to go deer hunting.”
Shotgun slugs I guess.
shotgun only for deer in IL.
I bought a bolt action 22LR for small game in PA about 6 weeks ago. Wish I had waited.
Oh well, I guess I have to make more room in the gun safe.
What bolt gun did you get?
I like .22 bolt guns.
No modern rifles. Only rifles allowed are black powder muzzle loaders, and those only during primitive weapon season. Shotgun slugs are OK.
Population density in Ohio is too high to allow modern rifles. The bullets carry too far.
Even primitive rifles can carry too far. There was a case in Ohio a few years ago in which a hunter was using a black powder muzzle loader. At the end of the day he hadn't gotten a deer. He "unloaded" his gun by firing it into the air. The bullet came down several hundred yards away and killed a woman.
Don’t ‘jump the gun’!
My understanding is that the PA Game Commission will need to adopt new regulations allowing the use of these arms first.
Probably well supported but not legal to hunt with them til they do.
I am not a hunter but know a number of states do not allow hunting deer with 5.56 because it is considered an inhumane kill.
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