BUFFALO (WBEN) - Last week, the Erie County Legislature 6-5 passed a local law that would allow 12 and 13 year olds to hunt big game, such as deer, with a rifle or firearm under adult supervision.
However, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz has since vetoed that law.
In a letter outlining his reason for the veto, Poloncarz wrote the following:
"While (the law) acknowledges hunting as a valued tradition for many families, it remains silent on the inherent danger of expanding firearm access for our youth. (The law) would permit young hunters 'to hunt deer with rifles, shotguns, and muzzle loaded firearms or crossbow.' This expansion comes at a time when there have been many unfortunate firearm hunting accidents across the state and country, especially those involving youth hunters.
"Just last year there were multiple hunting-related shooting incidents in New York State, including two involving children under the age of 13. In one instance, a son shot his father in the head and upper body while hunting together. These types of incidents occur far too often in all corners of the country. Over the past two years alone, we have seen examples of firearm deaths while hunting that include a 14 year old who was hunting with his brother in Arkansas, a 9 year old hunting with his father in Nebraska, an 11 year old who was shot and killed by his stepfather while hunting in Michigan, and a 9 year old who was shot and killed by his father on Thanksgiving in South Carolina."
The Democratic majority called for an override veto vote on the hunting law Thursday, but it failed, as it would have required 8 votes to override the county executive's veto.
"We had public hearings and committee discussions where a number of supporters came and talked in favor of the law and why it would help with gun etiquette, proper training, and education," said Republican Legislator Joe Lorigo.
"The county executive vetoed it, claiming it would contribute to gun violence. All it does is show that he's completely out of touch with what the law actually would accomplish and showed that he his using his own personal beliefs about firearms and hunting to control Erie County residents."
Children as young as 12 were already allowed to use firearms to hunt small game, such as birds and squirrels. The 2021 State Budget included a provision permitting 12 and 13 year olds to use a rifle or shotgun for big game as long as individual counties opted into the program.
