State residents benefit from ending Sunday hunting ban
We welcome all Pennsylvanians to join the Sportsmen’s Alliance in applauding Sen. Daniel Laughlin who, on Feb. 5, moved forward legislation (SB 147) which would finally remove the ban on Sunday hunting and strengthen trespassing laws in this commonwealth.
Mr. Laughlin had the courage to stand up for all Pennsylvanians and say enough is enough.
For many Pennsylvania families and single parents, work schedules now include Saturdays. The outdated prohibition on Sunday hunting denies these folks one of only two days available on a weekend to hunt. For lower-income families and individuals who rely on wild game to feed their families, Sundays could be their only opportunity to go afield and try to fill the freezer. The current ban literally takes food off the table and the commonwealth can no longer continue to unjustifiably ban citizens’ right to provide for their families because of special interests.
According to a recent economic impact study done by one of the nation’s top economic firms, John Dunham and Associates in New York, Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania would create an economic boon of nearly $1 billion in economic activity per year and $310 million in wages from construction jobs to manufacturing and financial services.
Pennsylvania’s neighbors — Maryland, New York, Ohio and West Virginia — have all been siphoning these revenues away from the commonwealth because they all allow Sunday hunting. Mr. Laughlin understands that leaving $1 billion on the table for no reason other than a select few wanting to call the shots is just plain insanity.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance, on behalf of our Pennsylvania members, would like to personally thank Mr. Laughlin for standing up for what is right and defending the rights of all Pennsylvanians. It takes real courage and leadership to stand up to special interests in Harrisburg who want to keep things the way they’ve always been. We are thankful and proud that Mr. Laughlin is leading the charge.
BRUCE L. TAGUE Columbus, Ohio
The writer is the vice president of government affairs for the Sportsmen’s Alliance.