House Hearing on Crossbows
For the membership who do not already know this:
I tesitfied Tuesday on behalf of the LSBA before the House Committee on Culture, Recreation, & Tourism concerning HB 1334, a bill allowing anyone over 65 years of age to use a crossbow during the Special Archery Season.
The main purpose of this post is to make all LSBA members clearly aware of where this bill is going. Rep. Mark Homer, the author of the bill and a committee member, went on public record during this hearing and stated that he is bringing forth a committee substitue (a replacement to amend the original bill) that will allow ANY individual the ability to use crossbows during the special archery season. Just to reiterate and be clear, this bill now will allow ANY individual of any age to use a crossbow during the special archery season if they so choose. It is no longer an issue of allowing them for seniors.
The LSBA Executive Council has chosen to stand by LSBA's position that crossbow's are not archery equipment because they are not hand held and released (the string) and require no physiological input from the shooter to affect the arrows internal ballistics as do longbows, recurves and compound bows.
I strongly encourage all LSBA members to make their feelings on this issue known to three groups. 1. The LSBA officers and regional reps. (We can't effectively represent you if we don't know what you're thinking is.) 2. The 7 members of the house Committee reviewing this bill. (Particularly if they happen to be your representative.) 3. Your local representative. (You need to make your opinions well known with your rep and find out where they stand before this comes to the floor for a vote. Do it now!)
Many LSBA members do not come to this forum or spend time on the internet. I'm sure all of you know some who fall into this category. Please help by passing this information on to every concerned bowhunter you know, whether an LSBA member or not.
Roger Henson
LSBA Vice President
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