Christian Action League continues to oppose hunting on Sunday
By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
April 30, 2014
Just over a year after a bill to legalize Sunday hunting stalled in committee, the initiative is still on the minds of its supporters, at least according to a recent story by WRAL news.
“Sure as shooting we will have to battle this proposal again, as we have several times before. I don’t know if it will be during the upcoming short session of the General Assembly, but the fact is the proposal has never completely gone away” said the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League.
“Even though there is not complete uniformity on how the Lord’s Day or the Sabbath Day should be observed, the vast majority of Christians contend that both man and beast must have at least one day in seven for rest.”
He said this principle of life, contained in the Fourth Commandment, not only helps mankind, but allows nature itself a reprieve from man’s use of the earth.
Dr. Creech lamented that the state had already set the stage for controversy by allowing archers to hunt on Sunday.
“Justin Rogers, owner of NC Hunter Supply in Raleigh, said hunters have wanted to pull out their shotguns on Sundays ever since lawmakers legalized Sunday bow-hunting in 2010,” wrote Arielle Clay for WRAL’s report, which portrayed hunters and farmers at odds over the issue.
“Certainly a lot of farmers are opposed to Sunday hunting, but a lot of hunters are as well,” said Dr. Creech citing a 2006 poll showing 65 percent of Tar Heel residents oppose Sunday hunting, with most “strongly opposed” and only 25 percent in support.
“Even among hunters, 53 percent opposed hunting on Sunday and only 38 percent were in favor,” he added.
Although bills (S 224 and H 360) were filed last session to allow Sunday hunting on private land, neither met the crossover deadline that would have kept them alive for consideration when lawmakers arrive for the short session on May 14. But the language for it might be slipped into some other bill or omnibus legislation, especially since it has the support of the state’s Wildlife Resources Commission.
“That’s the irony of it, the WRC has continued to oppose its own study by pushing for Sunday hunting,” Dr. Creech added.
He said not only would Sunday hunting violate the Fourth Commandment, but it would also pose a threat to the serenity and safety that rural church bodies across the state as well as hikers and families out exploring nature have traditionally enjoyed on the Lord’s Day.
Hunting on Sunday has been against state law for 145 years.
“As we have for a number of years, the CAL will keep an eye on this issue and any related legislation that may come up, so be on the lookout for an update or an alert calling for Christian Action,” said Dr. Creech. “Like the majority of North Carolina residents, the League stands staunchly behind citizens’ right to hunt six days a week, just not on Sunday.”
