Mo. Senate OKs penalty for fatal hunting accidents

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri senators have endorsed legislation allowing the Conservation Commission to levy tougher penalties on hunters who accidentally kill someone.

The measure would let the commission impose a 10-year suspension of hunting privileges on anyone who accidently kills another person while hunting. Officials already can suspend hunting privileges for up to five years when someone is injured by a weapon in a hunting accident. Commissioners would decide whether to invoke the penalty.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Dempsey proposed the tougher penalty after the husband of a constituent was killed in a hunting accident.

Fellow Republican Sen. Jason Crowell objected. He pointed out that motorists are not barred from driving after hurting someone else in an accident.

The measure needs another Senate vote before moving to the state House.