News

March 25, 2008

Gun owners to rally over legislation

By Tom Venesky tvenesky@timesleader.com
Sports Reporter
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The last time gun owners became irate over gun control measures introduced in the state Legislature, a few thousand of them gathered for a rally in Harrisburg.

They’re upset again, and Jerry Schutz, president of the Luzerne County Federation of Sportsmen, is hoping for a similar reaction.

The county group oversees several hunting and fishing clubs. Last week, Schutz sent a letter asking members of the clubs to join him on an April 7 bus trip to the capital.

It’s the same motivation as it was five years ago.

“There’s been a lot of legislation introduced in Harrisburg that sportsmen aren’t happy with,” he said.

The event is dubbed the Second to None Rally and is a statewide affair organized by the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and the Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League. In the last few years, Schutz said 35 anti-gun bills have been introduced in the state House and 18 in the state Senate. Most have been defeated.

Of those bills that are pending, Schutz is concerned with a proposal that requires ammunition casings to be stamped with an identification number. Such a move is impractical, he said, and would increase the cost of ammunition.

The rally, he said, will show support for some measures.

“House Bill 641 states that if someone breaks into your home, you don’t have to retreat. You can defend yourself,” Schutz said. “We’re supporting that.”

If you go…

Second to None Rally will be held at 10 a.m. April 7 at the Capitol rotunda. Plans call for a bus to leave the Wyoming Valley Mall at 7 a.m.

A 10 a.m. press conference with legislators and Second Amendment leaders is planned.

For more information on the trip, contact Jerry Schutz at 288-2931.

Tom Venesky, a Times Leader outdoors writer, can be reached at 829-7230

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