By Mr. Creedon, a petition (accompanied by bill,
Senate, No. 860) of Robert S. Creedon, Robert L. Hedlund,
Robert K. Coughlin, Susan C. Tucker and other members of
the General Court for legislation to prohibit internet
hunting. The Judiciary. |
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 131 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2002 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
Section 65A.
It is unlawful for any person to shoot, shoot at, or kill any bird, mammal or fish with any gun or other device accessed via an Internet connection in this state.
It is further unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, or other business entity to do either of the following:
(a) Own or operate a shooting range, site, or gallery located in the state for purposes of the online shooting or spearing of any bird, mammal or fish.
(b) Create, maintain, or utilize an Internet Web site, or a service or business via any other means, from any location within the state for purposes of the online shooting or spearing of any bird, mammal or fish for the purposes of this section.
(c) Possess or confine any bird, mammal or fish in furtherance of an activity prohibited by this section.
(d) Import into, or export from, this state any bird, mammal or fish, or any part thereof, that is killed by any device accessed via an Internet connection.
Any bird, mammal or fish, or any part thereof, that is possessed in violation of this section shall be subject to seizure by the department.
For the purposes of this section, "online shooting or spearing" means the use of a computer or any other device, equipment, software, or technology, to remotely control the aiming and discharge of any weapon, including, but not limited to, any firearm, bow and arrow, spear, slingshot, harpoon, or any other projectile device or any other weapon capable of killing or injuring any bird, mammal or fish.
Whoever violates this section shall be punished in the house of correction for not more than 2 1/2 years or by a fine of not more than $2,500, or by both such fine and imprisonment. In addition to the penalty prescribed herein, the court shall revoke all current hunting licenses, if any, of the person convicted of violating this section and prohibit the issuance of any hunting license to that person for a period of not less than three nor more than five years.
