Oct. 16, 2012 — When you go to the polls next month to cast some very important votes about the future of this nation, don’t be surprised when you find this constitutional amendment question at the end of the ballot.
“Are you in favor of amending the Kentucky constitution to state that the citizens of Kentucky have the personal right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife, subject to laws and regulations that promote conservation and preserve the future of hunting and fishing?”
This is not a joke.
Kentuckians actually will go to the polls on Nov. 6 to consider a proposed constitutional amendment to protect our right to hunt and fish.
Now here’s the most interesting part of this scenario: No one is challenging anyone’s right to hunt and fish in Kentucky.
This constitutional amendment makes about as much sense as building a floodwall around Sugarloaf Mountain, which sits at 1,356 feet above sea level.
At a time when Kentucky has serious problems that need to be addressed, why is this constitutional amendment on the ballot?
It’s because our state legislators were pressured by the National Rifle Association to put this matter on the ballot to protect our hunters and fishermen from “anti-hunting extremists,” whoever they are.
The deep pockets of the NRA make it a lawmaker’s best friend when campaign funds are needed.
More importantly, it also is a group to be feared because the NRA won’t hesitate to urge their members to vote against you.
In addition, they can recruit and finance your opponent, plus provide door-to-door volunteers for the campaign.
In short, the NRA plays hardball politics and few politicians have the courage to question such tactics, much less oppose them.
No one is trying to get the Kentucky General Assembly to ban or restrict hunting or fishing.
And we doubt that such a move is afoot in Idaho, Nebraska or Wyoming, the other states where the NRA has similar amendments on the ballot this year.
Twelve states already have fallen for this political grandstand play by the NRA by amending their constitutions to protect rights to hunt and fish.
Hunting and fishing existed in Kentucky long before Daniel Boone came through the Cumberland Gap.
Which of our inalienable rights will be saved in future sessions of the legislature?
Should we guarantee our right to own and drive pickup trucks? How about the right to hold a family reunion?
This hunting and fishing amendment undoubtedly will pass. Again, we are fixing something that isn’t broken.
