Proposed law would allow silencers on hunting rifles

verdenews.com ^ | 29 February, 2012 | Howard Fischer

[marktwain]

PHOENIX -- Arizonans may soon be able to hunt quieter.

Legislation approved Tuesday by the state House would repeal laws that now prohibit hunters from using any sort of silencer or muffler on their weapons. HB 2728 also would specifically bar the state Game and Fish Commission from imposing any bans of its own.

The 42-14 vote came over the objections of Rep. Russ Jones, R-Yuma, who said it flies in the face of public safety concerns.

"If I have a silencer on a rifle or pistol, I can shoot it off in my backyard and my neighbor won't know about it, even though (firing near a residence) is prohibited by law,' he said. And Jones, who is a hunter, said the devices make no sense even out in the field.

"If I hear other firearms, I'm able to know there is other activity, other hunters in the area,' he said. "With suppressors, you wouldn't know that.'

But Rep. David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista, who crafted the measure, said there are legitimate reasons for hunters to use noise suppressors.

He said weapons with lower recoil are more accurate. Gowan also said that lower recoil means a constituent, a wounded veteran with an artificial shoulder, will be able to go hunting.

Gowan also rejected Jones' arguments that having people firing weapons that others cannot hear can be dangerous.

"I don't understand what he's talking about,' he said, saying that the attachments do not totally silence the sound.

"You can still hear it,' Gowan explained. "It's just the decibels aren't enough to damage your eardrums.'

Nor did he believe that it is bad for hunters not to know others may be nearby.

"If you know it's hunting land, it's hunting land.'

Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, said he's not worried because a hunter needs federal approval before being allowed to purchase a silencer.

Thomas Mangan, spokesman for the federla Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said would-be buyers have to go through a more-intensive screening than what is required simply to purchase a weapon. That involves an application and fingerprints as well as approval of the head of the local law enforcement agency.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

[conservaterian]

Are you against bowhunting as well?

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If you don't understand the safety concerns of bowhunting versus hunting with a rifle then please don't be anywhere near where I am hunting. I have taught hunter safety for 25 years, you??

[Gaffer]

There are some hoops to navigate,and you have to really want one. There is also a tax stamp for $200 or more now.

I’ve looked into this an am going to get one, but I still haven’t found the fine print that gives the ATF the right to ‘inspect’ your home and gun holdings.....I’m reasonably certain it is there.

[Last Dakotan]

As a fellow hunter - I’m with you. Hearing gunfire in the field is necessary.

[Ancesthntr]

Much of the legal push to close down ranges would be reduced if suppressors were cheap and easy to get, as they are in many european nations.

Which is the biggest reason why these devices will continue to be regulated the way they have been for the past several decades. How can you peacefully disarm the populace over time if it is cheap to shoot and there are ranges all over the place?

[q_an_a]

thanks for your remarks and personal knowledge