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Posted on 01/06/2011 3:44:13 AM PST by marktwain
A proposed amendment to an existing state statute that could have a significant impact on outdoor shooting ranges now suffering from human encroachment, and indoor ranges located in urban and suburban settings is being sponsored by State Rep. Brian Blake and several other lawmakers from both sides of the aisle (a signal that state lawmakers understand their sole authority over gun laws and are not about to let that be eroded, as we discussed here last week and here yesterday).
When the Legislature convenes next week, expect HB 1016 to raise a few eyebrows among gun prohibitionists, who may start squawking about making it easier for criminals to mask their crimes.
Blake’s sensible amendment to RCW 9.41.250 would legalize the use of sound suppressors on firearms, provided the suppressor is legally registered and possessed in accordance with federal law. That the proposal is getting bipartisan support should come as no surprise. Presently, it is legal for Evergreen State gun owners to buy and possess suppressors. You can even mount one on a firearm. You just can’t shoot that gun with the suppressor attached. How dumb is that?
How many gun ranges, especially in Western Washington, have been or are being threatened by human encroachment? This column can think of several that have existed for years, but thanks to an influx of new neighbors – many who came here from other parts of the country and simply cannot get used to the sound of firearms because, a) they have been conditioned to hate and fear guns, or b) they equate the noise with some kind of danger, these ranges are now under attack.
Opposition to shooting ranges is nothing new, and over the years we have heard of some creative arguments from gun range opponents, including people who have appeared at public meetings with complete cartridges who claim that “I found this on my lawn and it must have come from that gun range!” This simply demonstrates how desperate and ignorant such people are because bullets might exit a gun range, but not an entire cartridge.
Advances in the design of such suppressors make them ideal for use at both outdoor and indoor gun ranges for one very important reason: Hearing protection. Certainly there are some very good ear plug and ear muff type hearing protectors on the market, including several electronic models that are superb. But the ability to reduce muzzle blast improves the odds that shooting will not have long term adverse effect on one’s hearing.
Noise suppressors also would help cut down on range noise that is most frequently the root cause of neighbor complaints. Of course, one might logically argue that anybody who knowingly moves into a home near a gun range should not complain about the sound of gunfire.
Suppressors – also erroneously dubbed “silencers” in the movies and on old television shows where their special effects use gave viewers the impression that they eliminate all noise generated by the discharge of a firearm – have gotten a bad rap. Part of the blame goes to boneheads who have illegally manufactured them for illegal sale. If they are properly registered by Washington residents, and it is safe to suggest hundreds, perhaps thousands of them are, then it ought to be legal to actually shoot with them on a firearm, say suppressor owners and proponents.
I swear I read an article a month ago or so where something like this - legalize suppressors - *should be* proposed as they're better for the public and shooter.
If I wasn't so lazy I'd check the Banglist ;-)
I lost track of my buddy one time at a gun show. When I finally caught up to him I told him I went all over the gun show asking everyone I saw “Have you seen a middle aged white guy with a hearing loss today?”
I agree. not being able to easily obtain silencers is stupid. I’m suprised they aren’t MANDATORY or required by the EPA. Try running your lawn mower without a silencer and see what happens. many countries require them. We’d also have lost a lot less shooting ranges if everyone used them.
I’ve got a couple and they’re a blast. they’re not “tv show quiet” or anything, but they make a nice difference and it really improves teaching new shooters, since they don’t flinch and they can hear me giving instructions without the ear-muffs.
Say WA? Evergreen State ping Interesting.
I have long advocated the use of suppressors for home defense.
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