New Law Allows Pa. Hunters To Use Semi-Automatic Weapons
HARRISBURG, Pa. (KDKA/AP) - Gov. Tom Wolf has signed a bill into law that expands the list of firearms permitted for hunting in Pennsylvania to include semi-automatic rifles and handguns.
The new law doesn't make semi-automatic weapons legal for hunting in time for the upcoming firearm deer season, which begins Monday.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has some decisions to make first.
"What species, what calibers, magazine restrictions, capacities stuff like that," says Wildlife Conservation Officer Michael Yeck.
The Game Commission will draw up the rules and then collect public comment. The soonest it could be approve would be April, which means the earliest for deer season would be next fall if the Game Commission approves it at all.
Semi-automatic firearms discharge one shot for each pull of the trigger. The next cartridge is automatically pushed into the firing chamber.
The use of semi-automatic rifles for hunting has been debated by legislators in some form since 2011. With its approval, Pennsylvania becomes the 49th state to allow hunters to use them.
Sen. Scott Hutchinson, a Venango Republican and co-sponsor of the bill, says he's pleased the measure is now law.
Gun violence prevention association CeaseFire Pa remained neutral on the legislation.
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