Besides the proposal to…

Besides the proposal to allow shotgun use for hunting, I propose the use of pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air rifles with scopes. Most PCP pellet guns cost considerably more than most shotguns and are used at gun clubs or private property. They are extremely accurate out to 100 meters and beyond, can be had in many cailbers of pellets, mostly at speeds just under 1000 feet per second. This is slower than shotguns and dispenses one shot at a time rather than 50 to 100 pellets. An FAC is required because of the higher than 500 fps. speed. Most cheap break barrel air rifles do not have the accuracy and mainly the power to humanely dispose of a cormorant. PCP air rifles are used by many pest control companies to control pigeon populations in warehouses and steel mill buildings. Furthermore, PCP air rifles make considerably less noise than even a 410 shotgun. Shotgun users will not only shoot birds on the water or land, but will shoot at birds flying, creating hazards to people within a few hundred yards from falling buckshot. PCP air rifle users would only shoot at sitting birds, eliminating the extra hazard. I propose the use of the three smallest calibers - .177, .22, and .25 . Any larger calibers would be overkill and also travel a greater distance due to the weight of the pellet.