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NEWS RELEASE

December 30, 2008

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Ulman Partners with County Council on Legislation to Change Hunting Law

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman has prefiled legislation with the County Council to strengthen hunting safety standards in Howard County. Bill No. 1-2009 was prefiled by Ulman and co-sponsored by Council Chair Mary Kay Sigaty and Council members Calvin Ball, Greg Fox and Jennifer Terrasa in response to an accidental shooting on December 10, 2008, in which a hunter’s bullet shattered the front window of a daycare facility in Clarksville while several people were inside.

“Although this shooting was accidental, we felt it imperative that we submit legislation that better protects citizens of this county from an event like this happening again,” said Ulman. “I believe this proposed legislation makes good common sense.”

In general, the proposed legislation requires that a licensed hunter not discharge a gun from, onto, across or within a safety zone of 300 yards--a change from the previous 150 yard safety zone. If the hunter is shooting downward (from an elevated stand a minimum of 10 feet above the ground) or is using a shotgun that contains only shot, the distance remains at 150 yards.

“People should be able to go about their daily lives without the fear of a stray hunting bullet. I believe that this legislation creates a better balance between the safety and security of our residents and those who hunt in the County,” said Council Chair Sigaty.

This legislation also specifies that a licensed hunter may discharge a gun if the hunter is lawfully hunting on not less than 10 acres OUTSIDE the Metropolitan District on property the hunter owns, or on other property with the prior written permission of the owner. A licensed hunter may discharge a shotgun if the hunter is lawfully hunting on not less than 10 acres INSIDE the Metropolitan District on property the hunter owns or on other property with the prior written permission of the owner.

The proposed legislation will be introduced at the County Council’s Legislative Session on Monday, January 5, 2009; the Council will hold a public hearing on the legislation on Wednesday, January 21.