PA Game Commission Passes Semi-auto Rifle Law!

[F250GUY]

At least PA pays attention to what the hunters want. Down here in Fla. the game commission makes the rules and after the decision is already made, they have an open meeting to hear comments. The original decision is really not open to change even though they go through the motions of listening to input.

I'm glad we moved out of Florida after 3 years of living there. We moved out on the 3rd Anniversary date, when we moved there. 1985 to 1988. We used to live 9 miles outside of Eustis, Lake County. I lived there between the ages of 14 to 17.

 

[F250GUY]

Living in this "Commonwealth" for almost 30 years, I seem to recall that this "Commonwealth" was ruled by Democrats? This puzzles me, as "Pro Gun" as P.A. seems to be, why would they allow Democrats to run the whole show for as long as they have?

This last Presidential election saw a land slide swing in voters who were lifer Democrats, switch their party registration, to "legally" vote for the current President we have now. Mind boggling!! But then again, this why we lost our Industries that we had over the past 50+ years.

Steel is gone, coal has basically dried up, all they want is "Tourism". Here in Tioga County, Harley Davidson tried to move to Wellsboro not too long ago. The town fathers threw that out like a pitcher throwing a fast ball!! This "Commonwealth" defecated in its own bowl of oatmeal, many years ago and I do honestly think they are regretting it now.

I honestly hope and pray that our Democrat Governor we have now, gets voted out in favor of a Republican or Independent candidate. We, as constituents of P.A. can legally own all the semi automatic firearms we want, but, we cannot hunt with them for big game??

This to me seems archaic!! Many states in the South and out West can and allow the use of semi automatic rifles and pistols to hunt with, why does it take P.A. so long to get on the proverbial "bandwagon"? I know, because it is still a danged old "Commonwealth"!!

We don't get Federal funding like N.Y.S., and N.J., and Ohio. Time for P.A. to "man up" and get with the 21st Century and recognize!!

 

[Glock Doctor]

I hunted in the overcrowded state of New Jersey with a semiautomatic shotgun for a good quarter of a century — Never a problem! This popular push for the use of semiautomatic rifles in Pennsylvania is being fueled by all those who want to use their AR-style rifles for deer and bear hunting. I've got two thoughts on this: One, for deer hunting I'm OK with the use of 223 bullets, but for bear hunting? No, I think the 223 is too small and light a caliber.

Personally, I have no objection to the use of semiautomatic rifles in Pennsylvania where rifle hunting is already being allowed; however, two, I realize that a lot depends on the guy who's got his 'finger on the trigger'. In this regard (and as an older hunter who's already 'been there, done that, and has learned how to duck and take cover real well ') I strongly support the principle of using no more than 5 or 6 rounds inside the magazine of any semiautomatic rifle that's being used for hunting. I would, and do, approve of the use of 223 cartridges for deer hunting; but for bears? No! I'd strongly prefer to use a 308 Win. caliber semiautomatic rifle.

Just like in New Jersey there are some hunting areas that lend themselves more to using and firing a rifle — but, especially, a semiautomatic rifle — than in other more densely populated areas. In those areas I'd be willing to continue using my Browning A-5 shotguns.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I hunted small game in PA with a semi auto shotgun for my first 50 years of my life and don't understand why some of you are saying that semi auto hunting in pa is now legal for small game. With a shot gun it always has been in small game season unless I have always misread the game laws.
I've never seen it legal in big game season and it apparently still isn't. Nothing has changed. I started hunting in 1970 and we used semi-auto shotguns as much as we used pumps, bolts, doubles and singles. 22 cal hunting was always bolt or single shot for small game so if your able to use a semi-auto 22 now, that is the only thing that has changed.
Personally I don't see the need for hunting deer with a semi auto. Never had the desire to hunt deer with a semi. Never had trouble putting deer down with a lever, bolt or pump.
Where I hunted in North Western PA we had more problems with city folk coming up here to hunt that didn't understand what the caliber of a rifle was in deer season. They would pound a 7mm in a 270 and when they couldn't open the bolt after the first shot they complained that the rifle was no good. We hated to see them come up here. I can only imagine these same people having a semi-auto rifle in their hands.

Responsible hunters, that's a different story. I knew people from the city also that grew up in the country and were fine hunters or city folk that had a lot of common sense in these matters. They were no problem.

How do you distinguish between the two? I never minded the law when there was a hunter behind every tree.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I just looked it up, semi-auto shotguns became legal to hunt with for small game in PA in 1951.

 

[giggitygiggity]

It's ridiculous, PA is one of the most gun-friendly states san Silladelphia. No dumb waits for background checks, no magazine capacity restrictions, can buy suppressors, machine guns, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs, etc. However, with regards to hunting, you can't hunt with semi autos. Even with the new law, you can only hunt with semi autos .22 or smaller. Granted, most of the time, you either nail the animal in one shot or it runs away before you can squeeze off a second shot, but I'd still like the option of being able to carry a semi auto. I recently bought a Winchester 1907 in .351 WSL off a member here that I would love to take a deer with. Not to mention, it would be great to own BARs and ARs for hunting.

 

[langenc]

Crazy that they were illegal in the first place. I don't even get the magazine restrictions for hunting. 5 round limit? Hard to imagine an animal that would stick around after being shot at and missed 4 or more times.

Sounds like something from Diane or Nancy even though my state has a 5 round limit on semi auto rifles.

We also have a one deer limit so what does it matter if I have a 10, 20 or 100 round mag. Ill only kill one deer and if I should shoot two then the full force of the law should come down on me/you.