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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Air-powered guns have become increasingly popular |
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among adults due to a variety of technological advancements, but |
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Texas law does not contain provisions that specifically address |
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their use; and |
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WHEREAS, Dating back to at least the 16th century, |
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air-powered guns were used on the 1804-1806 Lewis and Clark |
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expedition; however, in recent times, most air rifles have been BB |
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and pellet guns designed for youth; the development of more |
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powerful and accurate air rifles has continued apace since the |
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mid-1970s, and today, "magnum" hunting rifles with a range of 30 to |
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50 yards are popular for hunting small game such as squirrel and |
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rabbit, while the highest powered rifles carry the foot-pounds of |
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energy necessary to take down large game; air gun shooting is |
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actively promoted by the National Rifle Association; and |
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WHEREAS, With demand for these modern air rifles growing, a |
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number of states have enacted laws regarding their use; for |
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instance, Wisconsin outlaws them for the hunting of deer, bear, or |
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game birds, while in Maryland, they may not be used to hunt turkeys |
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in the spring season or waterfowl and must generate a muzzle energy |
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of at least 1,200 foot-pounds to be legal for deer and bear hunting; |
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Missouri recently added a section to the state's game laws that |
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specifically addresses the use of big-bore air guns for deer |
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hunting, requiring a minimum of .40 caliber; and |
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WHEREAS, The rising prevalence of high-powered air rifles may |
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necessitate the enactment of appropriate regulations within the |
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Lone Star State to maintain the vitality of the hunting industry and |
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to protect public safety; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house |
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of representatives to create a joint interim committee to study the |
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safe and effective use of high-powered air rifles, including such |
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issues as hunter safety and which types of rifles are capable of |
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making clean and ethical kills of larger game such as deer and |
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buffalo; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including |
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findings and recommendations, to the 83rd Texas Legislature when it |
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convenes in January 2013. |