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Committee narrows hunting discharge zone from quarter-mile to one-eighth mile in bill move
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Summary
The House Public Safety and Law Enforcement Committee voted to give SB 10-53 a due-pass recommendation; the bill reduces the prohibited firearm and archery discharge distance when taking wildlife near an occupied structure from one-quarter mile to one-eighth mile with occupant consent.
The House committee recommended SB 10-53 be returned with a due-pass recommendation after hearing testimony for and against reducing the prohibited firearm-discharge distance near occupied structures.
Senator Wendy Rogers, sponsor of the bill, said the change would align Arizona with most other states and would permit shotgun hunting within an eighth of a mile of a home with the occupant's consent. "This is actually a really good bill for the hunting community in Arizona," Michael Infantzen of the Arizona Citizens Defense League testified in support, citing ballistics data for birdshot.
Representatives from the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and the Department of Game and Fish opposed the bill. Commissioner James Guggenauer told the committee the quarter-mile standard is based on ballistics and that tests show certain shots can travel more than an eighth of a mile; he said the commission voted 5–0 to oppose the bill. The department's legislative liaison, Ed Sanchez, said the change "is a significant public policy and public safety concern" and asked for more stakeholder engagement.
Committee members split on the bill. Supporters said the narrower buffer would respect property-owner consent while allowing more hunting access; opponents emphasized safety, variation in ballistics by pellet size and elevation, and the long-standing quarter-mile standard. After discussion and votes, the panel recorded 7 ayes, 6 nays and 1 present and reported SB 10-53 as due pass.
