Senate backs hunting rights (Georgia)

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | Jan 27, 2004 | STACY SHELTON

[neverdem]

Proposed amendment passes easily

The Senate on Monday easily approved a change to the state constitution that would protect the tradition of hunting and fishing.

Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson (R-Savannah), the amendment's author, said hunters and anglers are worried that "activist judges and increased urbanization" could take away their rights.

"You may not think this is a big threat, and neither was the right to bear arms 200 years ago," Johnson said. "There is a growing anti-hunting and anti-gun group out there. That's why I think we need to do it now before they get stronger."

Johnson said eight states have similar constitutional amendments.

His amendment needed 38 votes and got 51.

Only three senators opposed it.

It now goes to the House. A two-thirds majority would be needed for the resolution to gain approval in the House, which is working on its own, similar version.

If approved, the measure will be on the November ballot. A "yes" from a majority of Georgia voters would change the constitution.

Sen. Sam Zamarripa (D-Atlanta) wanted hiking and canoeing added to the protected outdoor sports.

"Hiking and canoeing are big business in this state, and it's a family value, too," Zamarripa said. "Canoes were found in our state that are 5,000 years old. If we want to talk tradition and heritage, let's talk about canoeing, and let's talk about hiking."

Several senators pointed out those activities aren't regulated to the extent that hunting and fishing are. Hunters and anglers need licenses from the state Department of Natural Resources.

They have rules that tell them when and how they can fish and hunt. According to DNR, Georgia has about 950,000 licensed anglers and 284,000 licensed hunters.

Zamarripa's attempt to add hiking and canoeing failed, and he voted against the amendment.

Sen. Michael Meyer von Bremen (D-Albany) voted for the measure, but warned that over-amending the constitution could undermine its worth.

"Do we need to have a constitutional amendment to say we have the right to breathe in the state of Georgia?" Meyer von Bremen said.

The 1983 state constitution has been amended 62 times.

[neverdem]

BANG

[ZGuy]

The three dissenting votes were Zamarripa, and Sens. Robert Brown, D-Macon, and Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta.

[Skibane]

"You may not think this is a big threat, and neither was the right to bear arms 200 years ago," Johnson said. "There is a growing anti-hunting and anti-gun group out there. That's why I think we need to do it now before they get stronger."

In spite of what many anti-gun activists will tell you, the 2nd Amendment wasn't written with hunting in mind – It was written as a last, ultimate protection against tyranny. Any legislation that codifies the anti-gun dogma by defining the 2nd purely in terms of hunting and "recreational shooting" isn't doing us any favors.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"In spite of what many anti-gun activists will tell you, the 2nd Amendment wasn't written with hunting in mind – It was written as a last, ultimate protection against tyranny. Any legislation that codifies the anti-gun dogma by defining the 2nd purely in terms of hunting and "recreational shooting" isn't doing us any favors."

I agree, but the sole motive behind the drive to pass this legislation was deer hunters who hunt with dogs.

Because of a growing number of complaints, deer hunting with dogs was close to being outlawed by the legislature.

Fearing the loss of their sport, the dog hunters got together and started this whole drive to pass an amendment guaranteeing all hunting and fishing rights.