An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking, further providing for unlawful devices and methods and for prohibited devices and methods.

PRINTER'S NO. 1515
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1238
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY LAUGHLIN, STEFANO AND VOGEL, MARCH 18, 2026
REFERRED TO GAME AND FISHERIES, MARCH 18, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in hunting and furtaking, further providing for
unlawful devices and methods and for prohibited devices and
methods.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Sections 2308(b.1) and 2322(a)(2) of Title 34 of
the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
§ 2308. Unlawful devices and methods.
* * *
(b.1) Additional exception.--[A semiautomatic rifle may be
used to hunt game in accordance with regulations promulgated by
the commission.] A semiautomatic centerfire rifle that fires
.223 caliber or larger ammunition may be used to hunt big game
if the rifle is limited to a capacity of not more than three
cartridges .
* * *
§ 2322. Prohibited devices and methods.
(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this
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title or commission regulation, no person shall hunt, kill or
take or attempt, aid, abet, assist or conspire to hunt, kill or
take any big game, except wild turkey, with any of the following
devices or methods:
* * *
(2) Any automatic or semiautomatic firearm, except [that
any semiautomatic firearm modified to permit one shell in the
chamber and no more than four shells in a magazine may be
used by a person who suffered an amputation or lost the total
use of one or both hands.] as follows:
(i) A semiautomatic firearm may be used as provided
under section 2308(b.1) (relating to unlawful devices and
methods).
(ii) A semiautomatic firearm may be used by a person
who suffered an amputation or lost the total use of one
or both hands if the firearm is modified to permit one
shell in the chamber and no more than four shells in a
magazine.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20260SB1238PN1515 - 2 -
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