Pigeon shoot ban part of larger goal

Published: March 16, 2010

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To the editor: Hollywood's Bob Barker has donated $1 million to an animal protection group to stop pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania. There are homeless shelters, food banks, fire companies and many other worthy causes that could benefit from such a gift. Instead, the money will be used in an attempt to chip away at the Second Amendment while protecting a disease-carrying nuisance.

I saw a bumper sticker recently that articulated, in Spanish, my thoughts on legislation pending in the state Legislature to ban pigeon shoots. It read, "Vive Tu Vita No La Mia." Translation: Live your life, not mine.

I relate efforts to ban pigeon shoots to much of the trouble around the world; people seeking to impose their beliefs, their morals and their religion on others. I have never told anyone that he or she had to go hunting, fishing or shooting. Why do some feel they have the right to tell me that I cannot?

If it is wrong to release pigeons and then shoot them, then one could argue that it is wrong to shoot pheasant, quail and chukar in regulated hunting grounds. In fact, the language in the original legislation to ban pigeon shoots several years ago would have made illegal the shooting of "birds" after being released - not just pigeons.

For Pennsylvania sportsmen and sportswomen, pigeon shoots are a long-held tradition that is not only regarded as a legitimate sport, it was once an Olympic event. Additionally, it helps rid communities of one of the dirtiest and most dangerous pests. There are buildings throughout Pennsylvania where pigeon defecation is several inches thick. This is not only detrimental to buildings, it is a threat to public health. It is a well-known fact that pigeon droppings harbor disease. Millions of dollars are spent around the nation each year to protect buildings, monuments and works of art from pigeons.

I would argue that animal rights activists are less concerned about pigeons than they are guns. Their ultimate goal is to ban all hunting. The pigeon controversy is simply a ploy to generate emotional publicity in support of the animal rights agenda. Several hoaxes have been created to spread fear and misinformation about guns.

Guns and their owners have been under attack by groups whose attempts to limit gun rights have reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Various laws at the state and municipal level, regulating who can have a gun and how they can use it, may soon be challenged if the high court rules in a Chicago case that gun ownership is a national right. The court overturned a handgun ban in Washington, D.C., two years ago, ruling that it violated the Second Amendment in that it prevented an individual from having a gun for self-defense. The Chicago case could expand the earlier ruling nationwide.

Thomas Paine said, "That government that is best, governs least." Vote no on the pigeon shoot ban.

David A. Comes

Dalmatia

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