Urgent Christian Action Alert
Executive Director urges citizen Christians to take action
Christian Action League
Legislation that would repeal North Carolina’s 139 year old prohibition on Sunday hunting, SB 7 – Allow Hunting on Sunday is scheduled for a hearing by the Senate Judiciary II Committee on Tuesday, April 7. The proposal is sponsored by Sen. Julia Boseman (D-New Hanover).
Like the majority of North Carolina residents, the Christian Action League stands staunchly behind citizens’ right to hunt six days a week, but not on Sunday.
Beyond the religious sentiment that Sunday is the Lord’s Day – a sacred day on the Christian calendar and one that advises the world to rest one day out of seven – lie the concerns of families who enjoy picknicking, hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, climbing, biking and any number of outdoor pursuits which would no longer be Sunday options without fear of being hit by a stray bullet.
Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League, who for the last six months has served as interim of a small rural church in Johnston County, noted there are bullet holes in some places of the church’s building from hunters with bad aim. Creech said, “Think of the dangerous scenario Sunday hunting poses when people are attending worship or other church meetings throughout the day.” “Or, can you imagine,” he said, “that as the people are filing in for Sunday School, a pack of hunting dogs running through the church yard after prey.”
A poll, which was part of a $143,000 study funded and commissioned by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and completed in late November of 2006, reported that 77% of Sunday hunting opponents cited the need for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the woods without worrying about the presence of hunters and 65% said that hunting would interfere with church activities.
The study showed that the majority of North Carolina residents – 65% – oppose the legalization of hunting on Sunday with most “strongly opposed.” In fact, only 25% supported hunting on Sunday, demonstrating that there is not widespread support for repealing the ban.
The study also noted that even hunters are largely opposed to Sunday hunting, with 38% in favor and 53% opposed.
Moreover, the study revealed that some three dozen new game wardens would need to be hired (at a cost of $5,476,104 over the first two years) to enforce the rules if Sunday hunting were legalized. Even if only half the number were needed to handle limited hunting, it’s unlikely that Sunday hunting would cause license sales to increase enough to cover the added expense. The survey also showed that hunters said they would not be willing to pay more for licenses to help cover the cost of Sunday hunting.
“In a time of incredible economic troubles for the State and its budget, this is most definitely not the time to have a serious conversation about the prospect of Sunday hunting,” said Rev. Creech.
Take Christian Action
Visit the Christian Action League’s Grassroots Action Center and tell members of the Senate Judiciary II Committee that you are strongly opposed to Sunday hunting. It will only take you a moment and it can help to stop this legislation. Click here
Having people who are opposed from various churches can also help. If you, members of your church, or a group of hunters opposed to Sunday hunting could attend the Senate Judiciary II Committee meeting, it could make a significant difference. The meeting will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, in room 1124 of the Legislative Building.
