Free Republic

ABILENE, Texas -- Big game hunting season doesn't start for a while but a potential change to the rules could have an effect on how you could hunt in Texas in the future. Later this month, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will hold a public hearing about suppressors, or silencers, as they're commonly known. The hearing could determine whether the state will allow hunting game with them. For most hunters and gun fans, suppressors are a good thing. "Once you touch one off through the silencer, it's a much more pleasant experience," said Josh Hill, of Abilene Indoor Gun...

I’ve been waiting for my NFA paperwork for my silencer since October. When I submitted the paperwork, everyone I talked to said the ATF would take 60 days to process my stuff and then I’d be the proud new owner of a tax stamp. I’m still waiting. And getting slightly annoyed. So I emailed Erich, the guy in charge of NFAtracker.com, and asked him to give me a dump of his database to figure some stuff out. He complied, and then I almost lost my mind. First things first, a quick note on how NFA paperwork works and the methodology...

After passing in the Indiana Senate with overwhelming bi-partisan support, NRA-backed Senate Bill 243 now awaits it’s hearing in the House Public Policy Committee. A hearing could be set as early as Wednesday, February 22. SB 243 would allow Hoosiers to use lawfully-possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms for hunting. Currently, Indiana law permits use of suppressors for all shooting activities except for the taking of game. Enactment of SB 243 would ensure that hunting is treated the same way as other shooting activities with respect to the use of suppressors, and allow hunters to reap the...

Just for comparison for the subject here are some facts how silencers are treated in Finland. Silencers are not considered to be "parts of a firearm", that means that anyone can build one, own one and buy or sell one without any restrictions. Just as grips or scopes. There are no special taxes on silencers, of course for everything you buy the 22% VAT is included. Silencers have been found useful in preventing noise-pollution of shooting ranges that are near urban areas. Several studies have been made on subject should silencers be obligatory. One study made by State Department of...

MSSA’s bill to repeal the archaic firearm suppressor law criminalizing possession of a suppressor in the “field or forest,” HB 174, was sprung from the Senate Judiciary Committee today on a “blast” motion, a motion to override an adverse committee report. Senator Chas Vincent made and defended the motion (thanks Chas!!) All Democrats voted against the motion except for Senator Blewett (for), and all Republicans voted for the motion except for Senators Moore, Ripley and Tutvedt (they were against). The final vote was 26-24 – a squeaker. HB 174 will be up for Second Reading maybe this afternoon (Wednesday) at...

Although Gov. Christine Gregoire yesterday signed legislation that legalizes the use of firearm sound suppressors in Washington State, the law does not actually take effect until 90 days after the end of the current legislative session. That means the first legal opportunity one will have to actually shoot a gun with a mounted suppressor – they are called “cans” by fans of the devices – is probably July 23. That’s 90 calendar days after the Legislature is due to adjourn, on April 24. However, that ought to be just about the right timing for someone interested in getting one of...

Noise pollution. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing! When it comes to firearms, it comes with the territory. Why anyone does not have the ability in Michigan to suppress the ear-damaging noise of guns is beyond me. But, if you attach a sound suppressor to your firearm in this state, you’d be guilty of a felony, unless you have a Title II firearms license for machine guns, sound suppressors and destructive devices. Recently, Washington state has allowed its citizens the option of using sound suppressors on firearms and, believe it or not, even the state sheriffs and police chiefs...

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...

AN ACT Relating to firearm noise suppressors; and amending RCW 9.41.250. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON: (1) Every person who: ... Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any firearm unless the suppressor is legally registered and possessed in accordance with federal law (bolded is proposed modification to law) is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

Santa Ana, CA – SureFire, LLC manufactures gun silencers (suppressors) and other related products for use with firearms. SureFire filed a Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(a), false advertising claim at the Central District of California (Santa Ana Division) against Advanced Armament Corp. (“AAC”). The lawsuit arises out of a comparative advertisement by AAC which features cutaway views of two side-by-side silencers. The advertisements have allegedly been published in magazines such as Combat Hanguns, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement, and Tactical Weapons. The complaint alleges that although the pictured product is identified as a “Competitor Brand Silencer,” it is immediately...