Wyoming Rep Immediately Re-introduces Bill to Allow Suppressor Use

[Broz]

Awareness and accurate portrayal is something that needs to be addressed. The movie term " Silencer" and what they have shown on screen is not accurate. People need to understand they still can be heard and are not completely silent. That they just reduce the sound level to a safe and comfortable level along with a greatly reduced recoil. Not a silent laser beam like deal.

Jeff

 

[Outlaw6.0]

SF 132 has been assigned to the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee where it will be heard early tomorrow morning (1-22) after the Committee convenes at 8:00am. It is important that you contact the following committee members and urge him or her to support SF 132.


This should be interesting. If it fails, I have a full list of the committee members, ye 'ole email will be put into overdrive


t

 

[Triple BB]

I heard this bill will not allow suppressors for the use of hunting big game. Maybe someone can clarify.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I heard this bill will not allow suppressors for the use of hunting big game. Maybe someone can clarify.

...... introduced a bill yesterday (1/16) that would further expand the rights of hunters in the Cowboy State. Senate File 132 would repeal the state prohibition on hunting with sound suppressors (which are additionally regulated under federal law) while providing additional penalties for those who use them illegally."


I'm really surprised this came so quickly, crap, I got the notification form the NRA-ILA late last night. Kinda makes it hard to support....or maybe that was the intent.


t

 

[Outlaw6.0]

Wyoming Senate Committee Approves Pro-Hunting Reform
​

The Wyoming Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee voted 4 to 1 in favor of a pro-hunting reform authored by Senator Ogden Driskill (R-1). Senate File 132 would repeal the state prohibition on hunting with sound suppressors (which are additionally regulated under federal law) while providing additional penalties for those who use them illegally. This bill is now eligible for a vote in the full Senate. A date for this Senate floor vote has not been scheduled at this time but please call and e-mail your state Senator urging him or her to vote in favor of this meaningful hunting improvement legislation! Your senator's contact information can be found here.
An identical version of this legislation was introduced earlier this month in the state House as House Bill 5. However, the House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee defeated it by a vote that was neither announced nor made public. Senator Driskill introduced SF 132 to accomplish what HB 5 was supposed to do before it was unfairly dismissed.
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. Currently, more than half of the states across the country allow hunters to use suppressors. Recently Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas adopted new rules allowing for use of suppressors when hunting game. It's time that hunters in Wyoming 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.
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.
Thank you to those who contacted members of the Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee, and to theSenatorswho voted to expand the rights of law-abiding sportsmen. Your NRA-ILA will continue to update you once a date is scheduled for the Senate's final action on SF 132. In the meantime, please continue to call and encourage your state senator to support this meaningful hunting improvement legislation! Your senator's contact information can be found here.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

With this small step forward, we need to stay on top of the situation, please take the time to contact your reps & senators to encourage the passage of this bill.

We can do this.


t

 

[Outlaw6.0]

More news:

...Additionally, the state Senate voted this morning (1/28) to repeal the state prohibition on hunting with sound suppressors (which are additionally regulated under federal law) while providing additional penalties for those who use them illegally. In a 23-7 vote, the Senate passed Senate File 132, introduced by Senator Ogden Driskill (R-01). This bill now goes to the House for consideration, so please contact your state Representative and politely encourage his or her support of this common-sense hunting reform measure.


We're getting there Gentlemen, But we still need your help. Please take the time to contact the appropriate parties with your support.


t

 

[Broz]

You know this is just going to cost me more money if it passes...

Congrats on your progress. Maybe my annual antelope hunt to WY will be a little quieter next year.

Jeff

 

[Outlaw6.0]

You know this is just going to cost me more money if it passes...

Congrats on your progress. Maybe my annual antelope hunt to WY will be a little quieter next year.

Jeff

Well, "they" always say: You can't take it with you

With some help from gentlemen such as yourself, we may just get it done.


Thanks,


t

 

[Broz]

wow, didn't realize they came for large calibers...

 

[Outlaw6.0]

PLEASE tell me you have a video of that in action!!!


t

 

[Outlaw6.0]

Ok gents, SF 132 has some proposed amendments forthcoming:

... the state Senate recently passed Senate File 132 which would remove Wyoming's prohibition of hunting with a sound suppressor. This bill will now be considered by the state House of Representatives, and has been assigned to the House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee. A number of hostile amendments that would defeat the purpose of the bill are under consideration at this time. In particular, the amendment being offered by the state game wardens would uphold the current ban on hunting with a suppressor except when hunting small game only. Pleasecontact your state Representative and members of the House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee and urge them to support SF 132 AS IS, and to accept no further amendments.


Take this time to let the committee know the amendments are not in the best interest of Wyoming sportsmen.


Thank you,

t

 

[Triple BB]

Sounds like a fair compromise. I just sent an email to my senate rep and asked him to support the amendment...

 

[bengineer]

For all the fence sitters, nay-sayers, compromisers and suppressor users, here are a few facts related to sound, hearing damage and suppressor usage. This is the info I emailed around to the Senators and Representatives who passed or are discussing this WY legislation currently. Many emailed back with thanks and appreciation of the info, having never heard most of it before.

The benefits of suppressor use are many:
1. According to OSHA, all sounds over 140dB cause permanent damage to hearing; the muzzle blast from a hunting rifle is over 160dB. OSHA's recommendation for mitigation of hearing damage is to limit sound at the source. Safety and Health Topics | Occupational Noise Exposure In this case, a gun-mounted sound suppressor does that. Studies have determined that ear plugs are insufficient in protecting a shooter's ears from permanent damage because the sound is transmitted through the bones in the head.



2. The list of states that allow suppressed hunting:

3. Hunting with suppressors has not increased the incidence of poaching in any of these states. In fact, Arkansas has always allowed suppressed hunting, and they do not have any record of poaching with the use of a silencer. Game departments and LE agencies in AR use suppressors to limit the noise of gunshots while carrying out official duties, including dispatching of rabid and nuisance animals in populated areas.

4. The Michigan Attorney General recommended that all hunting in MI be done with sound suppressors:AG - Schuette: Federally Registered Noise Suppressors Permitted Under State Law

5. The British Health and Safety Laboratory released a study that determined that game managers must use sound moderators (suppressors) for culling deer http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/hsl_pdf/2004/hsl04-01.pdf.

6. As noted in #5 above, the sound suppressor has no effect on the sound created by the bullet as it travels through the air. Supersonic bullet flight is often recorded at 130dB, which is roughly equivalent to the sound of a moderated rifle shot. In other words, the suppressor is not a "silencer;" it does not break the laws of physics.

7. We all know older hunters and veterans who are hearing impaired. Much of the hearing loss suffered is due to gunshots. Please refer to the attachment, which describes that approximately 15% of Americans between 20 and 69 - 26 million Americans - have hearing loss. Tinnitus affects approximately 50 million Americans. This legislation can be a step in protecting the hearing of all outdoorsmen, especially those who shoot.

8. Maybe most importantly, in order to continue the legacy of hunting with future generations, we can teach firearms use more safely and effectively due to two benefits of use of sound suppressors: a) reduction of sound pressure levels to OSHA defined levels allows us to shoot with new shooters and children without the use of cumbersome ear muffs which also muffle range commands and productive instruction. b) reduction of recoil allows new shooters to learn to shoot effectively without as much recoil, which prevents the reflexive flinch. Both of these attributes can contribute to cleaner kills in the field.