The Prince William Board of County Supervisors repealed a week-old ban on buckshot ammunition Tuesday after a little pressure from the National Rifle Association.

Last week, the supervisors banned the use of buckshot during deer hunting season, but allowed the use of rifle slugs.

After the National Rifle Association and some members of the board opposed the move, the supervisors reconsidered and went back to the county’s original regulations, which allowed only buckshot.

The National Rifle Association claimed that Virginia code does not authorize local jurisdictions to regulate ammunition, meaning the Prince William ban violated the state’s constitutional right to hunt, fish and harvest game.

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“We are opposed to any measure that limits options to hunters,” said Autumn Fog, NRA spokeswoman, who added that the organization is pleased the supervisors are “rethinking their action.”

The county’s attorney is looking into the constitutional and state code issues.

The original change from buckshot to slug was recommended to the county for safety and humane reasons, as well as to match similar rules at Marine Corps Base Quantico.

“It is absolutely true that buckshot is less lethal and less humane and results in significantly more wounding,” said the Humane Society’s John Grandy.

Buckshot, a slug containing a number of pellets, is used at closer distances and sprays the pellets, said Supervisor John Stirrup, R-Gainesville, who pushed for the use of both types of ammunition. Slugs, he said, can travel much longer distances.

“It is obvious that the staff report was erroneous and that there are more issues here than just simply switching the type of round,” said Sean Connaughton, Board of County Supervisors chair.

HUNTING NUMBERS

Virginia deer killed by hunters who had permits in 2005:

» 2002 Fairfax: 1,088

» 2002 Loudoun: 6,816

» 2002 Prince William: 1,831

Source: Virginia Department

of Game and Inland Fisheries

cgoodman@dcexaminer.com