Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7076, sub-§15 is enacted to read:

15.__Persons with loss of hand.__The commissioner may issue an archery hunting license to a person who has permanently lost the use of one or both hands permitting that person to hunt with a crossbow.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §7102-A, sub-§6, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 24, §3 and affected §7, is amended to read:

A. It is legal, except as otherwise provided in chapters 701 to 721, to hunt any wild bird or wild animal with a hand-held bow and arrow during any open season on that bird or animal and with a crossbow if the holder has been issued a license pursuant to section 7076, subsection 15.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §7406, sub-§20, ¶B, as repealed and replaced by PL 1981, c. 414, §27, is amended to read:

B. The following are exceptions concerning subsection 17.

(1) Paragraphs A, B, C, D, E and F do not apply to military organizations authorized by law to bear arms or to the National Guard in the performance of its duty.

(2) Paragraphs B, D and E do not apply to firearms using the .22 caliber rim fire cartridge or to any autoloading pistol having a barrel less than 8 inches in length.

(3) Paragraph K does not affect or restrict the legitimate possession and sale of flashlights.

(4) Paragraph L does not affect chapter 709, subchapter IV, or any rule issued in accordance with section 7035, subsection 1.

(5)__Paragraph G does not apply to a person issued a license pursuant to section 7076, subsection 15.

SUMMARY

This bill allows a person who has permanently lost the use of one or both hands to use a crossbow during the archery hunting season and during any open season.