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State Lawmakers Pushing To Lift Ban On Semi-Automatic Rifle Use In Hunting

PITTSTON TOWNSHIP — Pennsylvania’s deer rifle hunting season is less than a month away and there’s now a push in Harrisburg to allow hunters t...

PITTSTON TOWNSHIP -- Pennsylvania's deer rifle hunting season is less than a month away and there's now a push in Harrisburg to allow hunters to use semi-automatic rifles.

A bill was sent to Governor Wolf Thursday that would lift the ban on those weapons as well as some others.

It was a bustling Thursday night at Advanced Arms in Pittston Township as customers were checking out some merchandise.

But business may get even better as there is a push in Harrisburg to allow the use of semi-automatic rifles to hunt.

Owner Christopher Scoda believes this could be a very good thing for the state.

“It really can't hurt. I mean one of the things that we want to do is see that there's revenue, see that it comes in through licensing and things with the game commission, also through some things at the retailers,” said Scoda.

State lawmakers overwhelmingly passed that bill that would lift the ban on hunters using semi-automatic rifles as well as the ban on air and gas powered rifles.

That bill was sent to Governor Wolf's desk for him to sign.

Bruce Fahey used to hunt regularly.

“Could be cleaner kill with a more advanced rifle so I would think hunters would be for it,” said Fahey. “I as a traditional hunter from years ago wouldn't have a problem with it.”

If passed into law, the Pennsylvania Game Commission would set regulations and rules on what season and which animals could be hunted with those rifles.

Scoda says if there are concerns that semi-automatic rifles are excessive for hunting, the Game Commission could set a limit on the number of rounds in a magazine that can be used.

“Magazines come in five, 10, 20, and 25 rounds for this particular platform,” said Scoda. “So most hunters would be fine with a five or 10-round mag and even if the game commission imposed a two or three shot restriction, I think we would be okay with that.”

“It was the same technology as when we went from a tradition bow during archery to a crossbow which used to be limited to handicapped shooters. Now it's open to everyone,” said Fahey.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 160-25. It passed in the Senate by 40-7.

All the lawmakers serving our area in northeast and central Pennsylvania voted in favor of the bill.

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