Bill Text: TX HCR98 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Requesting the lieutenant governor and the speaker to create a joint interim committee to study the safe and effective use of high-powered air rifles.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-09 - Referred to Agriculture & Rural Affairs [HCR98 Detail]
Download: Texas-2011-HCR98-Introduced.html
82R8836 BPG-D | ||
By: Hunter | H.C.R. No. 98 |
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WHEREAS, Air-powered guns have become increasingly popular | ||
among adults due to a variety of technological advancements, but | ||
Texas law does not contain provisions that specifically address | ||
their use; and | ||
WHEREAS, Dating back to at least the 16th century, | ||
air-powered guns were used on the 1804-1806 Lewis and Clark | ||
expedition; however, in recent times, most air rifles have been BB | ||
and pellet guns designed for youth; the development of more | ||
powerful and accurate air rifles has continued apace since the | ||
mid-1970s, and today, "magnum" hunting rifles with a range of 30 to | ||
50 yards are popular for hunting small game such as squirrel and | ||
rabbit, while the highest powered rifles carry the foot-pounds of | ||
energy necessary to take down large game; air gun shooting is | ||
actively promoted by the National Rifle Association; and | ||
WHEREAS, With demand for these modern air rifles growing, a | ||
number of states have enacted laws regarding their use; for | ||
instance, Wisconsin outlaws them for the hunting of deer, bear, or | ||
game birds, while in Maryland, they may not be used to hunt turkeys | ||
in the spring season or waterfowl and must generate a muzzle energy | ||
of at least 1,200 foot-pounds to be legal for deer and bear hunting; | ||
Missouri recently added a section to the state's game laws that | ||
specifically addresses the use of big-bore air guns for deer | ||
hunting, requiring a minimum of .40 caliber; and | ||
WHEREAS, The rising prevalence of high-powered air rifles may | ||
necessitate the enactment of appropriate regulations within the | ||
Lone Star State to maintain the vitality of the hunting industry and | ||
to protect public safety; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house | ||
of representatives to create a joint interim committee to study the | ||
safe and effective use of high-powered air rifles, including such | ||
issues as hunter safety and which types of rifles are capable of | ||
making clean and ethical kills of larger game such as deer and | ||
buffalo; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including | ||
findings and recommendations, to the 83rd Texas Legislature when it | ||
convenes in January 2013. |