|
On July 6,
Governor Mitt Romney signed legislation that changes hunting license purchase
requirements by requiring all new hunters to successfully pass a basic
hunter education course, a measure that has the strong support of sportsmen
and gun owners. "It's important that hunters understand the basic skills
and responsibilities that will help them to enjoy the sport safely, and
to foster an appreciation of hunting for new generations of young people,"
said Governor Mitt Romney.
Since 1998,
most people with Massachusetts gun licenses - a License to Carry Firearms
or a Firearm Identification card - have automatically qualified to purchase
hunting licenses. With the bill's signing, the gun license qualification
has been eliminated. Massachusetts comes into line with the other 49 states
requiring all new hunters take a basic hunter education course in order
to purchase a hunting or sporting license. The new law provides an exception
for adults who held any hunting or sporting licenses prior to January
1, 2007. Further information
about the hunting license purchase requirements will be posted in
the next few days at www.mass.gov.masswildlife.
The Hunter
Education program is administered by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries
and Wildlife (MassWildlife) and the courses are taught by certified volunteer
instructors. The Program's mission is to protect the lives and safety
of the public, promote the wise management and ethical use of wildlife
resource, and encourage a greater appreciation of the environment through
education. Massachusetts offered its first hunter safety course in 1954
and to date has graduated more than 160,000 students. Courses are free
and a schedule is posted in the Education
area of the MassWildlife website at www.mass.gov/masswildlife.
"The sportsmen
in our state have a strong legacy of outdoor safety and etiquette in our
communities," said Senator Robert A. Antonioni (D-Leominster), chief sponsor
of the legislation. "This bill ensures that this legacy will continue
for the many aspiring sportsmen and women in our state. It puts the Commonwealth
on par with the rest of the country." The legislation was originally proposed
by the Worcester County League of Sportsmen, and it was supported by the
Gun Owner's Action League (GOAL). "This legislation recognizes the skill
and safety of those previously licensed hunters and goes forward to allow
new hunters to gain valuable knowledge in safe hunting procedures and
practices," said Representative George N. Peterson Jr. (R-Grafton).
"We are
pleased with the passage of yet another correction of Chapter 180 of the
Acts of 1998, which created a confusing standard for acquiring a hunting
or sporting license," said James Wallace, GOAL's executive director. "Prior
to the passage of this law some eight years ago, hunter education was
mandatory for all first time hunters, with no exceptions. While GOAL does
not normally support mandatory training, it is our belief that every first
time hunter should be exposed to the ethics, safety aspects and laws in
Massachusetts regarding hunting before taking to the field for the first
time."
|
