Mo. Senate OKs penalty for fatal hunting accidents

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri senators have endorsed legislation allowing the Conservation Commission to levy tougher penalties on hunters who accidentally kill someone.

The measure would let the commission impose a 10-year suspension of hunting privileges on anyone who accidently kills another person while hunting. Officials already can suspend hunting privileges for up to five years when someone is injured by a weapon in a hunting accident. Commissioners would decide whether to invoke the penalty.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Dempsey proposed the tougher penalty after the husband of a constituent was killed in a hunting accident.

Fellow Republican Sen. Jason Crowell objected. He pointed out that motorists are not barred from driving after hurting someone else in an accident.

The measure needs another Senate vote before moving to the state House.

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Frankenstein27 1 year, 1 month ago

I agree that shooting people is bad, and I am not pro-shooting-people. But what is the purpose of this? Is the idea that the fear of losing one's hunting license will be a motivator to not shoot people? Is the idea that the fear of losing one's hunting license will be a greater motivator to not shoot people than a general reluctance to shoot people? "Well, I was going to carelessly blow my brother-in-law's spleen out of his rectum, but boy do I want to hunt next year. Better check my shooting alley again."
If the concern is that someone was negligent or purposeful in shooting another hunter (or other bystander) there are criminal laws for that. I have no real problem with restricting hunting privileges, but this is just silly. Shooting people is bad.

Silverado_Phil 1 year, 1 month ago

Really?!?!? How will this penalty be enforced (for 10 years)? And who will pay for this? Sen. Crowell is right to object to this.

How much did Tom Dempsey's constituent contribute to him in order to get him to propose this penalty?

Geez, it's an ACCIDENT. Accidents happen. Get over it. If a waiter spills coffee on your lap, should we ban that waiter from waiting tables for 10 years????

gofish 1 year, 1 month ago

Another BAD piece of reactionary legislation based upon a SINGLE incident. Good thing is, this poor piece of legislation affects hardly anyone. I guess Senator Dempsey either needed the campaign money or didn't have the heart to deny a grieving widow her "justice".

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