The 2007 New York State legislative session has begun with a barrage of destructive bills such as lowering the hunting age of children who are accompanied by a "mentor," allowing children to use muzzleloaders, and legalizing crossbows for hunters. We must stop these bills from passing! Here's what you can do:Please contact Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to politely, yet firmly, urge him to defeat
1) Bill A.733, which would lower the hunting age to 14 if a child is accompanied by a "mentor."
2) Bill A.1354, which would allow 12 yr. old children to use muzzloaders.
3) Bill A.1154, which would allow 14 yr. old children to use muzzloaders and legalizes the use of crossbows for hunting.
4) Bill A.1155, which allow disabled people to use crossbows.
Talking points and contact information after the jump.
1. Most accidental deaths occur while hunting deers and bears and these bills invite children into the “big game” arena. Youth are not permitted to marry, drive, or drink alcohol at age 14 and NY State should not be in the business of allowing youths to handle weapons, placing them in mortal danger and killing animals. And even with a “mentor” by their side, children can be impulsive and lack sound judgment.
2. An upstate pro-hunting daily newspaper reported that according to the Department of Conservation, the recent firearms injury rate per participant is relatively high among the youngest hunters compared to other age groups.
(Post Standard, Syracuse, NY 3/2003).
3. Some children who are familiar with weapons tend to use them readily for suicide and/or shooting sprees in schools.
4. There is no need for children to have access to a “candy store” variety of weapons like muzzleloaders. The use of such is a means to familiarize children with weapons, which can then lead to using more sophisticated firearms.
5. Crossbows are dangerous for adults too. When the trigger of a crossbow is pulled, the bow, which has a draw of about 125 pounds, propels the arrow, called a bolt, at speeds of up to 200 mph.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon
NYS Assembly, L.O.B., Albany NY 12248
Ph.: 518-455-4911
Fax: 518-455-5459
speaker@assembly.state.ny.us