Wisconsin Wants To Clarify Definition Of A Firearm

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WAUSAU, Wis. -- Wary that new technology could change the way bullets are fired, Wisconsin wildlife experts are taking steps to make sure just traditional guns are used for hunting.One of the 91 questions being posed to outdoor enthusiasts at the Department of Natural Resources annual spring hearings in April seeks to clarify the definition of a firearm for hunting to guns that shoot with compressed air or gunpowder.Kurt Thiede, the DNR's coordinator for the spring hearings, said Friday the change is in response to emerging technology that uses electromagnetic fields to fire projectiles.He said clarifying the definition of a gun for hunting now would make sure that any new technologies that are developed could be reviewed and evaluated by the DNR before they get used in the fields and woods.The conservation hearings take place April 13 in all 72 Wisconsin counties.

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Yeah, they're going to start having debates on the hunting boards about whether or not a Phased plasma rifle in the 20 watt range is powerful enough for deer or if they should stick with 40. (The answer of course is that shot placement trumps caliber/power any day.)

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what the heck difference does it make how the projectile is accelerated?

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ilbob wrote:

what the heck difference does it make how the projectile is accelerated?

Click to expand...

Be VERY careful here. I don't think the feds consider a muzzle loader a "gun" but the state of Wisconsin does. If they add "compressed air", then all paint-ball guns become firearms. Now just imagine what some over zealous anti lawyer could think to exclude.

This has a lot less to do with technology, and a lot MORE to do with government in control.

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Currently Wisconsin has a very specific definition of "Firearm".

ss167.31 1(c)

Firearm means a weapon that acts by force of gunpowder.

That definition applies to all types of weapons that use gunpowder, including muzzleloaders.

Because we can't control the "funny water" the DNR drinks don't even try to second guess it's motives. It really doesn't need a state law because it has "rule making authority" any rules it makes are considered law until decided otherwise in court.

I think the DNR is governed by politics instead of the humane taking of game. Here is an example:

It is legal to take whitetail deer by the use of an arrow. However, if the hunter is less than 65 years of age or disaled the arrow must belaunched by a traditional or compound bow. Crossbows bows are not allowed even though they are much more accurate in the hands of the average archer an would result in fewer wounded animals. Whenthe DNR made this rule they"caved" in to pressure from the Wisconsin Bow HuntersAssociation which is anti-crossbow. I have correspondence to support that opinion.Because we hunters do not have much "lobby" pressure it is important we attend the April meetings andlet the DNR know how we feel on the issue.

This issue isn't a specific "open carry" issue but it invaribly will become a gun rights issue.