skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Post-presidential debate poll shows a shift in WI; Teamsters won't endorse in presidential race after releasing internal polling showing most members support Trump; IL energy jobs growth is strong but lacks female workers; Pregnant, Black Coloradans twice as likely to die than the overall population.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Teamsters choose not to endorse a presidential candidate, county officials in Texas fight back against state moves to limit voter registration efforts, and the FBI investigate suspicious packages sent to elections offices in at least 17 states.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

NY Animal Rights Advocates: Big Bore Air Rifles a Big Problem

play audio
Play

Tuesday, January 5, 2016   

NEW YORK - New York's Department of Environmental Conservation has proposed amending state law to allow certain air-powered firearms, also known as big bore air rifles to be used for hunting big game.

Airguns are already legal for hunting small game in New York such as rabbits or squirrels. But some animal advocates say it's unethical to hunt with the weapons, which use round-shaped pellets rather than bullets, because animals don't always die right away when they're struck.

David Karopkin, founder and director of animal rights group GooseWatch NYC, is one of them.

"The rules are bad enough as they are," he says. "They allow a lot of killing of wildlife and I don't think we need one more rule to make it even easier. The DEC should focus its energies on protecting the environment and protecting wildlife and not finding new ways to harm wildlife."

Despite the DEC's claim that big bore airguns are able to safely and efficiently harvest big game, Karopkin says he worries about the safety of people who live close to areas where another powerful weapon would be used to hunt.

"This is a rule change that's going to potentially allow for the use of powerful rifles very close to people's homes," he says. "First of all, it concerns us that the killing of animals is happening at all, but certainly in people's backyards where they can see it or possibly even be injured by it."

A DEC spokesperson says areas where air rifles would be permitted are already open for hunting with other types of firearms, and the effective range for big bore air rifles is under 100 yards. The agency is accepting public feedback on the issue through Feb. 8.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Including the $236 million in federal funding for wildland fire management recently announced for 2025, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has invested a total of $1 billion to the cause, according to the Department of the Interior. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

This month, the federal government announced funding for next year's wildfire management, totaling $236 million and experts hope threatened …


Social Issues

play sound

From gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson to Superintendent of Public Instruction hopeful Michele Morrow, some Republicans running for office have …

Social Issues

play sound

California is home to more than 181,000 people who are unhoused, with 75,000 in Los Angeles alone, so the Los Angeles Food Policy Council will host a …


The California Department of Conservation is holding a public meeting online on Sept. 24, to update the public on its progress in plugging abandoned oil wells. (Alizada Studios/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Groups concerned about pollution and climate change are asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a trio of bills dubbed the "make polluters pay" package…

Social Issues

play sound

This week, National Voter Registration Day was another timely reminder for Ohioans preparing for the 2024 general election. The latest reports from …

The American Heart Association said caregivers often experience personal and spiritual growth, discovering their own resilience, competence and capacity for sacrifice as they help a friend or loved one. (Justlight/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

September is Self-Care Awareness Month and the American Heart Association in Missouri is urging caregivers to take some much-needed time for themselve…

Environment

play sound

In Virginia's waters, the decline of a small but critically important fish is causing growing concern among conservation groups and fishermen alike…

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado voters will decide whether to change the state's constitution to ensure families have school choice as a fundamental right. Kallie Leyba…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021