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.
wdgnas posted at 9:25 am on Wed, Feb 29, 2012.
"You can still hear it,'' Gowan explained. "It's just the decibels aren't enough to damage your eardrums.''
what are you, a girley man?
downtownresident posted at 10:01 am on Wed, Feb 29, 2012.
The lunatics are running the assylum here.
These mental midgets should all be run out of the state!
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO HAVE A SILENCER ON A HUNTING WEAPON.
THIS JUST GIVES CRIMINALS AN OUT FOR USING SILENCERS.
IDOITS!!!
Masterrogue666 posted at 1:48 pm on Wed, Feb 29, 2012.
I see no real need for a silencer while hunting, personally.
mvccd1000 posted at 1:48 am on Thu, Mar 1, 2012.
downtownresident, you apparently didn't waste much time learning any facts before spouting your argument. Suppressors are a restricted item, and you need a "Tax Stamp" from federal government before you can purchase or possess one. You go through a real background check (not the NCIS check you get in a gun store when you make a purchase), and have to submit fingerprints AND get the forms signed by the head of your local law enforcement agency.
The only "idoits" are people who think this bill would allow criminals an out for using silencers.
Suppressors are expensive items that are difficult to obtain (legally or otherwise). Possessing an unregistered one is a felony. Allowing hunters to use legal suppressors is going to have zero affect on crime and/or criminals.
beefrits posted at 7:08 am on Thu, Mar 1, 2012.
Apparently the work schedule in the AZ House is pretty sparse. What are these people thinking? Accommodating hunters with artificial shoulders? Please.
As a lifelong hunter I've taken game ranging from rabbits to elk and never, not once, said, "Dang. I wish I had a suppressor for this weapon".
This legislation is unwise, unnecessary and uncalled for. Hopefully the AZ Senate will pool their IQs and send it to the defeat it deserves.
Moderation posted at 1:04 pm on Fri, Mar 2, 2012.
Maybe some day the Arizona legislature will actually focus on real law making??? I can only dream it seems. [sad]