SB 737 allow Hunting with Semi automatic Rifles in PA – Rep Saccone 2015-2016

[STBear]

It was approved today. I just ordered some 5-round clips for my M1 Garand! Guess what I'll be hunting with this year????

It still has to be voted on again at the March meeting where they are allowed to make amendments to it. So if you're happy let them know and if you want something else contact them.

[WhiteFeather]

I Personally wish to Thank all of you that acted over the years and contacted the legislators to support the legislative change we wrote and to all of you that followed up with PGC here is the fruits of your labor now for you to enjoy in the coming years.

You can make a difference when we work together!



IF you wish to thank the people who did all the heavy lifting to repeal the over 100 year legislative Ban

Senator Scott Hutchinson (was for legalizing semi-auto rifles for limited varmint specie only)

The real hero for the total repeal of semi-auto rifle ban was Rep Rick Saccone forced the issue off of center and got the public hearing to bring this subject to the light and was instrumental in amending language into another bill.

Rep Matt Gabler who tireless lobby for legalizing Air rifles for hunting and his willing to let Saccone to amend his semi-auto rifle bill to Rep Gabler as sometimes amendment can kill bills passage so its was a risk.


Groups to thank for this change

PAFOA - you know what you have done - kudos to all that took direct focused action when requested on the forums


PA Federation - keep this in mind a majority of delegates in the Federation were opposed letting the PGC set the regulations and Only voted to support Semi-Auto rifle in original form of limited varmint specie only, a majority of Fed delegates were opposed to allowing SA for big game and SA for small game.

NRA-ILA representative John Hohenwarter a letter supporting to public hearing along with email alerts to NRA members over the legislative process for passage



Read here about June 15, 2015 pubic hearing of who went the extra effort to change semi-auto rifles in PA
http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.ph...45#post3082245

Randy Santucci representing Unified Sportsmen of Pa - Unified members were always pushing hard to make PA a better state for hunters everywhere

Kim Stolfer representing Allegheny County Sportsmen League & PSA - long time leaders in advancing hunting & fishing best use of Penns woods resources for the enjoyment of future generations

Firearm Owners Against Crime - FOAC Kim Stolfer is the chairman - Most people have no idea of the tremendous difference and sacrifice that Kim Stolfer makes to advance pro gun legislation in PA.

When we win victories like this most people line up to credit for without any acknowledgment for Kim's coalition building efforts behind the scenes and many that always roadblock efforts like this in politics hate him when they are forced to do the right thing for you when the BS excuse are exposed .

BTW Kim didn't make any friends with some in PGC leadership with forcing this change in PA, but in the end we don't seem to care how as long as its get done, so someone has to the bad guy for everyone else to enjoy the freedom of choice.

If you want to thank Kim spend 20 bucks and join FOAC or buy (donate) a FOAC gun bash ticket to help in the fight to protect the 2nd A and Art 1 section 21




https://foac-pac.org/Pa-Game-Commiss...News-Item/6205


PA Game Commission Preliminarily Approves The Use Of Semiautomatic Rifles and Shotguns While Hunting Big Game, Small Game and Furbearers :: 01/31/2017

After the public hearings that occurred from January 29th through today, January 31, 2017, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced:

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave unanimous preliminary approval to regulatory changes that would permit the use of semiautomatic rifles and shotguns while hunting big game, small game and furbearers. A five-round magazine would be required for all semiautomatic hunting rifles, with the total ammunition capacity limited to six rounds, based on the preliminarily approved measure.

The measure also preliminarily approves the use of air rifles for small-game and furbearers.

Consistent with Firearm Owners Against Crime’s comments and evidentiary submissions to the PA Game Commissioners, the Board stated that

most of those who opposed cited concerns over compromised safety as their primary reason for opposition … [however after] a thorough review of hunter safety in states that allow semiautomatic rifles, including neighboring states and states that most resemble Pennsylvania in terms of hunter density…[t]he review uncovered no evidence the use of semiautomatic rifles has led to a decline in hunter safety in any state where they’re permitted for hunting.

Furthermore, the Board also reviewed the follow regulatory additions/changes:

Semiautomatic rifles in .22 caliber or less that propel single-projectile ammunition and semiautomatic shotguns 10 gauge or smaller propelling ammunition not larger than No. 4 lead – also No. 2 steel or No. 4 composition or alloy – would be legal firearms arms for small-game seasons under a regulation preliminarily approved by the Board of Game Commissioners.

Semiautomatic firearms that propel single-projectile ammunition also would be legal sporting arms for woodchucks and furbearers. There is no caliber restriction for woodchucks or furbearers.

For big game, semiautomatic centerfire rifles and shotguns would be legal sporting arms.

Full-metal-jacket ammunition would continue to be prohibited for deer, bear and elk hunting.

All semiautomatic firearms would be limited to six rounds’ ammunition capacity – magazines can hold no more than five rounds.

Semiautomatics would be legal in seasons in which modern firearms can be used to take deer, black bears, elk and fall turkeys.

Air-guns would be legal for small game in calibers from .177 to .22 that propel single-projectile pellets or bullets, under the regulatory changes preliminarily approved by the Board of Game Commissioners.

For woodchucks and furbearers, air-guns must be at least .22 caliber and propel a single-projectile pellet or bullet. BB ammunition is not authorized for small game, furbearers or woodchucks.

These proposals will be brought up again at the March meeting for a final vote.


Let US know When are you ready to seriously go for Sunday hunting

[theunrulychef]

Thanks again to you, WhiteFeather!

[knight0334]

One thing they, or we, will need to address are semi-autos with fixed magazines whos design doesn't allow for plugging to limit capacity.

Example would be the Marlin Model 60. The follower tube doesn't readily come apart to install a custom made plug.

[SWIGIN]

I just wanted to say despite what is posted above, the magazine limit is only for big game. The small game and furtakers section says nothing about magazine limit.

[ItchyTick]

Great news. Hopefully everything will go smoothly in March.

[unclejumbo]

Still call and email. A lot of the uninformed are just learning about this so they'll be trying to turn this around prior to final approval.

[danhr]

In the eyes of the PGC, is .223/5.56 considered a 22 caliber?

[SevenMilePete]

I just wanted to say despite what is posted above, the magazine limit is only for big game. The small game and furtakers section says nothing about magazine limit.

Let's hope that will be the case. It would be hard to find a five round magazine for a 10/22. Or even a Marlin 795.

[SevenMilePete]

In the eyes of the PGC, is .223/5.56 considered a 22 caliber?

I don't think so, it is centerfire.