This week, two bills aimed at allowing the use of semiautomatic rifles for hunting some small game species have passed in their respective committees and will be considered soon in the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives.
Senate Bill 1402, sponsored by state Senator Scott Hutchinson (R-21), passed in the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee. SB 1402 creates an exception allowing the use of a semiautomatic rifle to hunt coyotes and woodchucks in accordance with regulations except during the regular firearm seasons for deer, bear and turkey.
House Bill 2230, sponsored by state Representative Greg Lucas (R-5), passed in the House Game and Fisheries Committee. HB 2230 would allow Pennsylvania hunters to use a semiautomatic rifle with a .223 caliber or less and a magazine capacity of no more than six rounds of ammunition to hunt coyotes, foxes and woodchucks.
These bills would allow hunters to be in accordance with many other states in how they control harvest of varmints and predators. We will keep you updated with further alerts as these bills progress through the legislative process.