It is time to clarify some misinformation regarding the so-called "assault rifles."
First, they are not true assault rifles. They are imitations of military assault rifles. They are semi-automatic opposed to the military being capable of full automatic firing.
Second, to quote a previous letter, "these weapons known as assault rifles are not used in hunting, because they are to violent for the sport of hunting." Not true. One, being a semi-automatic rifle, they are not legal to hunt deer or bear with in Pennsylvania. Furthermore, as being too violent to hunt with, this is also not true. They are not violent enough.
The majority, if not all so-called assault rifles, are a .223 caliber utilizing a 55-grain bullet. Could you harvest a deer with a .223 caliber? Yes, but in north central Pennsylvania not very likely with the heavy growth of mountain laurel and undergrowth. The vast majority of deer rifles used are of .284 caliber up to .35 caliber using a 150-grain to 250-grain bullet. The difference between the 55-grain bullet and a 150 or 250-grain bullet is like the difference between a Volkswagen and a tractor trailer hitting your car.
To drag hunting into discussion of "assault rifles" is an injustice to not only law-abiding sportsmen of Pennsylvania, but sportsmen nationwide
Greg Banzhaf
Williamsport
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
