State Senate Passes Bill Permitting Rifles for Deer Hunting

Legislation for Genesee County heads to State Assembly

Albany, NY – A bill, S.1292, to allow the use of rifles for big game hunting in Genesee County has passed the State Senate by a vote of 52 to 4.  State Senator Mike Ranzenhofer is the bill’s author and sponsor in the State Senate.

“In several areas of New York State, sportsmen are allowed to hunt deer with rifles, and this change in law would allow the use of rifles in Genesee County,” said Ranzenhofer.  “I am pleased to report that the bill has passed the State Senate, and I am hopeful that the State Assembly will pass it before session ends next month.”

Last fall, the Genesee County Legislature and the Genesee County Federation of Sportsman Club requested the special legislation to be introduced at the beginning of the 2015 Legislative Session.

Existing environmental conservation law only authorizes the use of pistols, shotguns, crossbows, muzzle loading firearms or long bows when hunting deer from the first Saturday after November 15 through the first Sunday after December 7. 

The bill has been sent to the State Assembly.  Assemblyman Stephen Hawley is sponsoring the bill in the State Assembly.  If enacted into law, the bill would take effect immediately.

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