SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 720

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 9, 1996

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 720.   This bill permits persons licensed to trap fur-bearing animals under R.S.23:3-1 to use a .22 caliber rifle with .22 caliber short rimfire cartridges to shoot and kill legally trapped animals on Sundays. The bill requires the animal be killed in a humane manner.

      Under current law, trapping is permitted every day of the week and the use of firearms in the field is permitted every day except Sundays. Consequently, trappers are unable to dispatch trapped animals on Sundays in the most humane fashion, which is with a firearm. Under the provisions of the bill, trappers would be able to use firearms and ammunition of limited power on Sundays only for that purpose.