To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain computer-assisted remote hunting, and for other purposes.

April 12, 2005

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain computer-assisted remote hunting, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Act'.

SEC. 2. COMPUTER-ASSISTED REMOTE HUNTING FACILITIES.

(a) Offense- Chapter 3 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`Sec. 49. Computer-assisted remote hunting

`(a) Prohibition- Whoever, using any instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly makes available a computer-assisted remote hunt shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

`(b) Exception- Providing an instrumentality of commerce, such as equipment or access to the Internet, is not a violation of this section unless the provider intends the use of the equipment or access for a computer-assisted remote hunt.

`(c) Construction With Other Law- Nothing in this section limits the power of State and local authorities to enact laws or regulations concerning computer-assisted remote hunting facilities.

`(d) Definitions- In this section--

`(1) the term `computer-assisted remote hunt' means any use of a computer or any other device, equipment, or software, to allow a person remotely to control the aiming and discharge of a weapon so as to kill or injure an animal while not in the physical presence of the targeted animal; and

`(2) the term `instrumentality of interstate commerce' means any written, wire, radio, television, or other form of communication in, or using a facility of, interstate commerce.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 3 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

`49. Computer-assisted remote hunting.'.

END