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HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Game Commission board heard conflicting numbers and differing opinions on allowing semi-automatic rifles to be used for hunting during Monday’s meeting.

The board is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to allow hunters to us semi-automatic rifles for nearly every hunting season. Late last year, Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law legislation that gives the PGC the authority to implement semi-automatic rifles for hunting. In January, by unanimous vote, the board granted preliminary approval to allow them for all hunting seasons, with the exception of spring gobbler.

On Monday, the board listened to the results of an agency survey of 2,002 adult and senior hunters. Results revealed that half of those hunters support the use of semi-automatics for furbearers and groundhogs and 42 percent favor it for small game.

But when it came to allowing semi-automatic rifles for big game such as deer, turkey and bear, 64 percent of those surveyed opposed the idea — including 52 percent strongly opposed — while 28 percent supported the concept — including 17 percent that expressed strong support.

Even among those who already own semi-automatic rifles, the survey results indicated they weren’t entirely on board when it came to big game. Of the respondents who are semi-automatic rifle owners, 53 percent opposed their use for big-game hunting while 40 percent were in favor.

Several of the PGC commissioners weren’t convinced that the survey results told the entire story.

Commissioner James Daley, who represents the Northwest Region, said the survey was conducted before the board enacted a five-round magazine capacity for semi-automatic rifles, and he added that more hunters favor the concept with the limitation in place.

Commissioner Tim Layton, of Somerset County, added that comments submitted directly to the agency showed an consensus opposite of the survey results.

According to PGC figures, more than 1,100 comments regarding semi-automatic rifles were submitted directly to the agency and 80 percent approved of the measure to allow the firearms for hunting.

“Not everything gets picked up on surveys,” said board President Brian Hoover.

Opinions expressed by the public during the meeting were split.

Don Helms, of the Hopewell Fish and Game Association in York County, told the board he favors allowing semi-automatic rifles for hunting for several reasons. As a National Rifle Association firearms instructor and former resident of Maryland, where semi-automatics are allowed for hunting, Helms said there are no issues with safety.

Even when a rapid-fire situation occurs, such as a deer running through a field, Helms said, semi-automatics are safer than manually operated rifles.

“I think it is safer with a semi-auto because it can be controlled. You shoulder it and stay with the animal. It’s like shooting a camera,” he said, adding a semi-automatic is more efficient for shooting at multiple deer and reduces incidences of wounding game.

But not everyone at the meeting was convinced that semi-automatics are a good idea, especially for big game.

Retired state Rep. David Levdansky, of Allegheny County ,questioned why the board is leaning toward implementing semi-automatics for all seasons at once. Last year, he said, agency staff indicated semi-automatic rifles would be implemented slowly, beginning with furbearers and groundhogs.

“All of a sudden things changed,” Levdansky said.

He also took exception to the argument that 49 states allow semi-automatics for hunting, so Pennsylvania should follow suit.

“I propose this: 49 other states have combined fish and game agencies. You don’t,” Levdansky said. “You use that argument when it benefits you. That’s hypocrisy.”

Commissioner Dave Putnam responded that the board was going to implement semi-automatics slowly, but after receiving more than 1,000 comments — most in favor — they decided to move ahead at a faster pace. Putnam added that there is no financial interest at stake with the proposal and he doesn’t believe the agency has received any comments from firearm manufacturers.

Levdansky urged the board to re-evaluate its approach and move at a slower, more incremental pace to implement semi-automatics. He also accused the board of responding to political pressure with the rapid implementation of semi-automatics.

“I know something rotten in the legislative process when I smell it. The silent majority of hunters are opposed to this,” Levdansky said. “Go slow. Your reputation and heritage are at stake.”

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The board will vote on Tuesday on proposal to allow hunters to use semi-autos for deer, other seasons

By Tom Venesky

[email protected]

Semi-automatic survey results:

Furbearers – 55 percent approve; 34 percent oppose

Groundhogs – 51 percent approve; 37 percent oppose

Small Game – 42 percent approve; 46 percent oppose

Big Game – 28 percent approve; 64 percent oppose

Approval among semi-automatic rifle owners:

Furbearers – 73.1 percent

Groundhogs – 68.7 percent

Small Game – 58.8 percent

Big Game – 40 percent

Reach Tom Venesky at 570-991-6395 or on Twitter @TomVenesky