Posted on 03/28/2012 7:13:59 PM PDT by marktwain
The Arizona Senate passed an important pro-hunting bill this afternoon by a 20 to 9 vote. House Bill 2728, which would allow hunters in Arizona to use lawfully-possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms for hunting, passed in the state House on February 28 by a 42 to 14 vote. HB 2728 now goes to Governor Jan Brewer for her approval.
Enactment of HB 2728, introduced by state Representative David Gowan (R-30), would provide hunters the option to use legally-owned sound suppressors while hunting game. Currently, more than half of the states across the country allow hunters to use suppressors while hunting and three other states (Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas) are currently considering similar legislation or are changing their hunting regulations to allow their use. It’s time that hunters in Arizona are able to enjoy the same opportunities available to sportsmen in more than half of the country. For more information on firearms and suppressors, click here.
Noise complaints are being used more frequently as an excuse to close shooting ranges, informal shooting areas, and hunting lands throughout the country. Increased use of suppressors will help to eliminate many of these complaints and protect hunting and shooting areas well into the future.
In order to acquire a suppressor, a purchaser must submit the appropriate paperwork to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives where long wait times for approval are unfortunately common (four to six months). Also, purchasers must undergo a background check by the FBI, find a licensed dealer authorized to conduct the transaction and pay a one-time $200 tax for each device. While suppressors do not eliminate the sound of a firearm, they do reduce the muzzle report in a manner similar to the way that a muffler reduces exhaust noise from a vehicle. The benefits associated with suppressor use include increased accuracy due to reduced recoil and muzzle blast, protection from hearing damage and reduced noise pollution.
Please e-mail Governor Jan Brewer and respectfully ask her to sign HB 2728 into law.
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