Lawmakers in four of 11 states that ban hunting on Sundays are considering the elimination of those century-old “blue laws.’’
North Carolina, Connecticut, Massachusetts and West Virginia are now studying the laws that many residents believe are out of date and a hindrance to commerce and personal freedom,
according to USA Today.
Other states that ban Sunday hunts are Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.
The Coalition to Lift State Bans on Sunday Hunting is supported by groups such as the National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Rifle Association, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and Archery Trade Association.
“Today, 11 states either prohibit or restrict hunting on Sunday. Were these states to eliminate these outdated restrictions, and simply allow hunting on all Sundays within the dates of the current hunting season, it is estimated that over 27,000 new jobs would be created,’’ the coalition said in a statement.
“These are good jobs, paying over $730 million in wages, and contributing about $2.2 billion in additional economic activity to the states in question.’
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Most “blue laws’’ were enacted from pressure by religious groups who believed Sunday was a day to be used for prayer and reflection.
State Sen. Clark Barnes, a West Virginia Republican, who introduced a bill to kill the ban in his state, said the only day of the week some hunters have free is Sunday.
“Many of them work during the week and would like to hunt on the weekends,” Barnes told USA Today.
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