Sports

NY bill takes aim at hunting rifles

That rifle you use for hunting maybe la beled an assault rifle if a New York bill is passed.

Assembly Bill 1479, introduced by Democrat Linda Rosenthal, changes the state’s definition of “assault weapon.” The new definition would classify firearms commonly used for hunting, such as semi-automatic shotguns that have a thumbhole stock or a pistol grip, as assault weapons.

Currently, possession of assault weapons in the state is generally prohibited.

Even more dangerous to sportsmen and gun owners, the bill gives the Superintendent of State Police the authority to regulate and classify additional firearms as “assault weapons” simply by finding that a firearm feature or modification is “particularly suitable for military and not sporting purposes.” The Superintendent also can designate specific firearms by make and model to be considered assault weapons.

Ultimately, the bill gives the Superintendent vast powers to determine which firearms citizens can and cannot own.

“This bill is taking an already extreme set of gun laws and making them worse. It outlaws many popular firearms that are commonly used for hunting and gives immense power to the State Police to restrict law-abiding gun owners even further,” said Evan Heusinkveld, director of state services for the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Sportsmen, gun owners, and collectors alike need to call their state assemblyperson and senator today to express their opposition to this dangerous bill.”

Though AB 1479 does include an exemption that allows citizens to keep newly declared “assault weapons” that are possessed before July 1, 2012, the exemption does little to ease the concerns of sportsmen. The bill in turn requires those firearms that are “grandfathered in” to be rendered inoperable or registered with the state. Even after proper registration, the bill only allows those firearms to be used at a licensed gun range and not while hunting.

ken.moran@nypost.com