Pa Gov. Wolf signs bill to allow Semi-Auto's for Hunting

abc27 Harrisburg ^ | 21Nov16 | Myles Snyder

[major_gaff]

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.

[major_gaff]

Finally! Hopefully the Game Commission moves quickly on this.

[Nextrush]

He’s running for re-election in 2018 and must have gotten some ‘religion’ on the idea.

[Lurker]

I got to fire a .45 caliber air rifle a couple of weeks ago. It is a serious weapon and could easily take down a deer in the hands of a skilled hunter.

L

[Old Teufel Hunden]

As a lifetime NRA member, I am all about the second amendment. However, this is not a second amendment issue. I am not in favor of semi auto hunting. Mainly because it’s already dangerous enough out there with some of these yahoos. Give them semi autos and it really ups the danger level because there are a lot of stupid people out there.

Also, IMO it’s not sporting....

[Old Teufel Hunden]

I failed to mention that I am also a PA resident and hunter so this affects me directly.

[JParris]

As a Lifetime NRA member:

“...Shall not be infringed...”, even for stupid people......

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"He’s running for re-election in 2018 and must have gotten some ‘religion’ on the idea."

It also could be that the congress may have been able t override his veto. If not now, then in the next session where we have even a greater republican majority and they could have sent the bill up again in the new session.

[VoyagerXII]

I think it’s about how many times the trigger is pulled vs what kind of action. Stupid people are just as dangerous with a pump or lever action. I don’t totally disagree with you, but even NJ allows Semi-Auto shotguns for deer and rifles for predators. We are generally limited to three rounds though.

[Vaquero]

The Remington model 76, 760, 7600 and model 6 was know for decades as the Pennsylvania rifle. It was a pump action version of the The Remington model 74, 740, 7400 and model 4 Semi automatic rifle that was popular here in the north east for the dense woods and thickets where a quick second shot was often needed to break through enough brush and quickly to take down your deer.
This is not western open vista hunting where you take your sweet time aiming and squeezing of slowly. It can happen quick and then your options are gone.
BTW I like my relatively quick Marlin lever gun

[Axenolith]

I’m sure you’ll still be limited to 3 or 5 in the magazine like everywhere else.

[junta]

Well said, I am primarily a Western hunter and also a Weatherby snob but I see your point. And from my experience with Wisconsin deer hunters the favorite rifle is a Remington semi in 30-06.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"“...Shall not be infringed...”, even for stupid people......"

Again, semi auto hunting has nothing to do with the second amendment. The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed does not mean that a state can't regulate hunting. The second amendment has nothing to do with hunting....

[refermech]

I’ve been thinking about buying one of those. No need for gun powder, just have to source the pellets. Some of the 50 cal guns can even shoot arrows.

[major_gaff]

All good points Devil Dog...I hunt on my land in Pa so I really don't have
to deal with "yahoos"...that being said, I do so this as somewhat of a 2nd
Amendment issue in the sense that I get the argument from liberal cousins
that "AR's should be banned because they have no use...you can't even
hunt with them"...I will enjoy shoving that talking point up their posteriors
this hunting season.

Semper Fi.

[Yo-Yo]

Act 168 of 2016, formerly House Bill 263, also removes the ban on air- and gas-powered rifles.

So just out of curiosity, was a recoil operated semi-automatic rifle like the Remington Model 8 legal?

[major_gaff]

I do so this = I do see this

[major_gaff]

I believe that the only semi-auto’s legal for hunting in Pa up until this time were shotguns, but I could be wrong.

[Brooklyn Attitude]

Damn I love PA. So glad I finally able to escape NY and now live in the endless mountains of a free Commonwealth.

[freedomfiter2]

I agree. If you need something faster than a pump, you need to learn how to shoot. It’s a bit of moot point since the pa game commission has virtually wiped out the rural deer herd.

[major_gaff]

Agreed...in my camp you would get a quick argument that the 35 Marlin is
THE Pennsylvania hunting rifle...lol I like my .300 Savage just fine.