House Rep Lucas introduces bill to allow semi-autos for hunting small game

[masakarijoe]

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/...type=B&bn=2230
Great first step! We need to push hard and make calls supporting this.

[Yellowfin]

We also need to know who has been blocking this in the past so we can put the necessary pressure on them and/or vote them out of office in November.

[masakarijoe]

We also need to know who has been blocking this in the past so we can put the necessary pressure on them and/or vote them out of office in November.

Indeed. We need to support this as we support all of the other pro-gun bills.

[redrockin7]

If I'm reading this correctly, saying it allows for semi-autos for "small game" is a stretch. I'd almost say it's more for varmint. Or did I miss part of the document? I looked at the PDF.

"(7) A semiautomatic rifle, .223 caliber or less with a
cartridge capacity of not more than six, for the taking of a
coyote, fox or woodchuck."

This would mean you couldn't use, for example, a Ruger 10/22, for squirrel hunting. Which I don't know - pray and spray .22s at squirrels is meh IMO - a bolt or lever should be fine - but I don't think is outlandish either.

This would start to open the door though for other expanded uses in the future. And I wouldn't mind trying predator hunting without having to buy a dedicated rifle. My Stag G3 would suffice at least to test the waters, if this were passed.

[gun-bunny]

It's about time, I've been bugging my local game commission officers about using a semi for coyote and groundhogs. I don't see a valid reason not to be able to.

[bluetrane2028]

There are 5 round 10/22 mags out there...

[firebird.77]

This would mean you couldn't use, for example, a Ruger 10/22, for squirrel hunting. Which I don't know - pray and spray .22s at squirrels is meh IMO - a bolt or lever should be fine - but I don't think is outlandish either.

The point of allowing semi's for hunting isn't to encourage or validate hunters "praying and spraying"


It merely means that you can spend all day Friday at the range with your 10/22, then take a squirrel with it on Saturday.



Allowing semi's is about letting people utilize rifles they already have, not increasing their firepower in the woods.

[Bang]

Spray and pray is very easily accomplished with a lever action or pump action, and almost as much with a smooth bolt and practice. Keeping semi-autos out of hunting based on a fear of spray and pray is not based in reality.

A low recoil, fast follow-up shot could make the difference between a critter crawling down a hole to die a slow death and humanely dispatching it.

I've seen deer running with a shattered leg dangling after hearing volleys of shots along a field from non-semi-auto spraying machines. Keeping semi-autos from hunters isn't accomplishing anything, in my NSHO.

[gun-bunny]

The point of allowing semi's for hunting isn't to encourage or validate hunters "praying and spraying"


It merely means that you can spend all day Friday at the range with your 10/22, then take a squirrel with it on Saturday.



Allowing semi's is about letting people utilize rifles they already have, not increasing their firepower in the woods.

Exactly.

I built an upper with no gas tube, specifically for hunting coyotes. I figured it would suffice; I get to keep my lower with a comfy stock and a CMC trigger, and the game commission can feel safe and not fine me.

I can just as easily put a gas tube back on and get a couple of 5 round magazines if this bill goes anywhere.