The bill, proposed by Sen. Daniel Laughlin (R-49), would allow hunters in Pennsylvania to use semi-automatic firearms with a three-round capacity limit for hunting.

In a sponsorship memo, Sen. Laughlin says the Pennsylvania Game Commission authorizes the use of semi-automatic rifles for small game, but prohibits their use for big game hunting.

The memo says the practice of using semi-automatic weapons for small game is widely accepted in other states, as Sen. Laughlin says many hunters already use semi-automatic shotguns for turkey and waterfowl hunting with a 3-shell limit.

The memo notes that this legislation would not allow high-capacity magazines or fully automatic weapons. Laughlin says the bill simply aligns Pennsylvania’s hunting laws with other states and provides more options to hunters who may be unable to operate bolt-action or pump-action rifles effectively.

 This document has not been submitted for introduction yet.