Three anti-sportsmen bills will be voted on May 31. It’s imperative that all New York sportsmen contact their Assemblymembers and Senators to oppose these bills. You can find your local politicians by using the Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Action Center.
Assembly Bill 9895 Overrides Wildlife Managers on Southampton Deer Hunting
On May 31, the New York Assembly will vote on a bill that would ban deer hunting on land adjacent to a property used for wildlife rehabilitation. The property impacted by Assembly Bill 9895 is in Southampton.
“The most troubling aspect of AB 9895 is that the legislature is overriding the wildlife management authority of New York’s top wildlife experts,” explained Dillon Barto, manager of state services for the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “After legislators make deer hunting decisions in Southampton, where does this go next?”
Senate Bill 1192 Requires Renewable Firearms Training
Legislation that requires bi-annual firearms training will be voted on by the New York Senate on May 31. Senate Bill 1192 mandates anyone who possesses a firearm to complete a seven-hour course. The course must include five hours of instruction on safe handling, safe storage and another two hours of live fire, followed by a safe handling demonstration.
A hunter education course would not qualify unless it met these specific time requirements, instruction and is approved by a local sheriff. Firearms owners would have to requalify every two years. While retired and current police officers are exempt, current military people or veterans are not. Older hunters who are exempt from hunter education are also not exempt.
“There are many problems with SB 1192,” said Barto. “First, it creates a government list of New York gun owners, which is likely unconstitutional. In terms of hunting, it will be a deterrent to hunting as people already have to take a hunter education course, which includes firearms safety material. The biannual training requirement is an additional deterrent to hunting participation.”
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
