State Senator Henry McNamara

McNamara Hails Release of Computerized Hunting Ban
Senate Environment Committee Acts on Bill to Ban Cyber-Shooting of Animals
Legislation sponsored by Senator Henry P. McNamara (R-Bergen/Passaic/Essex) to ban the practice prohibit a person from engaging in computer-assisted hunting through an Internet connection, or providing or operating facilities for such activities. The bill defines “computer-assisted remote hunting� means the use of a computer via an Internet connection to remotely control the aiming and discharge of a firearm, bow and arrow, or other weapon to hunt any game bird, game animal, or fur-bearing animal in the State.

“Shooting animals over the Internet is not hunting, and avid sportsmen recognize the fact that this practice is nothing more the cyber-age barbarism,� said McNamara. “I am gratified that humane organizations and sportsmen’s groups have joined with me to bring this terrible activity to an end in New Jersey. Hunting is not the same as a video game, and these depraved web sites have nothing to do with true sportsmanship.�

The Senator’s legislation is the result of the revelation that a Texas company called “Live-Shot.com� was offering a service where a rifle was connected to a computer and then broadcast that over the Internet so an individual anywhere in the world could log onto the site, pay a fee, and then shoot animals on a fenced-in game ranch. Legislation similar to the Senator’s bill has been enacted in 10 states, and federal legislation is pending in Congress to prohibit Internet hunting over state lines.

“I particularly appreciate help from the United Bowhunters of New Jersey, who provided me with important amendatory language that ensured that the bill would not impact future technology designed to assist the legitimate needs of handicapped hunters in the field,� said the Senator.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.