Posted on 02/03/2010 7:09:22 AM PST by JoeProBono
RICHMOND , Va., - A freshman member of Virginia's House of Delegates said his first piece of legislation, a bill allowing for ownership of shed deer antlers, passed 95-1.
Delegate James Edmunds, R-60th District, said he introduced HB1283, which allows for the "possession of shed antlers" without a special permit, after discovering he was technically breaking the law by taking the antlers from his property to use as decorations in his General Assembly building office, The (Norfolk ) Virginian-Pilot reported Tuesday.
Edmunds said the Code of Virginia included language banning ownership of "any wild bird or wild animal or the carcass or any part thereof, except as specifically permitted by law."
He said the antler exception passed Friday by a 95-1 vote, after some gentle hazing from his more seasoned colleagues.
"This antlers bill is foundational to our freedoms," said Delegate Mark Sickles, D-43rd District.
Sickles jokingly invoked the image of a constituent with a field full of antlers he was previously unable to move.
"I was lookin' at five to 10 in the Big House until Delegate Edmunds put that bill in," Sickles joked.
up here in maine you can be fined for owning a blue jay feather...I am so sick of these laws.
Better not pick up a arrowhead on public land. Off to Gitmo for you!
There were MILLIONS of Woodland Culture stone tips. This is what the Shawnee were protecting at the Falls on the Ohio.
When antlers are outlawed...oh, never mind.
ONLY after a politician might get in trouble with the law is that law changed. Gee, thanks for looking out for us jerk !
“any wild bird or wild animal or the carcass or any part thereof, except as specifically permitted by law.”
Guess I’d better check my boots and make sure I haven’t
tracked anything out of the woods that could make me a
criminal!
Sort of a dumb and self-serving reason to write a bill, but nevertheless, any bill that rolls back the invasive reach of government even an iota has my support.
if Edmunds wasn’t a scumbag politician, he would have pushed to repeal the law instead of carving out an exception for his prefered collecting item (antlers).
Now if only the ownership of POLITICIANS were against the law!!
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