Hunting with Silencers

February 15, 2016

MICHIGAN: Hunting with Suppressor is now Legal

On the 11th of February, Michigan became the 38th state to permit the use a suppressor while hunting. The change became effective on the 11th. The restrictions related to the amount of noise reduction and use with subsonic ammo were removed at the last minutes by amendment. You can now hunt in Michigan with a suppressor and subsonic ammo.

Suppressors are now legal in 41 states and legal for hunting in 38 of those states. Below is a map from the American Suppressor Association.

The best way to own a suppressor is by using a Gun Trust. A gun trust permits multiple users of users of a suppressor as well as permits changes to the authorized users in the future. To find out more about how a gun trust may benefit you or your family, request information on this page.

May 25, 2015

Suppressors legal to use in MN Hunting with “silencers” legal on August 1st 2015

by David M. Goldman

Suppressors (Silencers) are now legal to own and hunting will be Legal in Minnesota (MN) as of August 1, 2015. On Friday, Governor Mark Dayton signed Senate File 878 into law, officially making Minnesota the 40th state to legalize the private possession of suppressors. The bill will make Minnesota the 36th state to allow for the use of suppressors while hunting.

This major victory for suppressor rights comes after months of hard work on the part of the NRA, the ASA, and especially Rep. Tony Cornish (R-23B), Chairman of the House Public Safety Committee, who acted as a champion for our cause by shepherding this bill through committee and ensuring that this issue stayed at the top of the legislature’s agenda.

If you are wanting to permit multiple users to use your suppressor or silencer, a Gun Trust may be the best option for you and your family.

May 6, 2015

Montana legalizes Hunting with Suppressors (silencers)

by David M. Goldman

It is now legal to hunt in Montana with a Suppressor. On April 23rd, 2015, Gov. Steve Bullock signed House Bill 250, legalizing the use of suppressors for all lawful hunting in Montana. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Kirk Wagoner (R-75), originally pertained only to the use of a suppressed firearm “when hunting wildlife not protected by state or federal law”. However, on March 27th, Gov. Bullock’s returned HB 250 to the legislature with proposed amendments that sought to expand the scope of the legislation to allow the use of a suppressor on a firearm during all lawful hunting.

Mr Bullock previously vetoed a similar bill in 2013, but explained the recent signing by stating:

“It is time for Montana to join the clear majority of states that allow the use of suppressors for hunting. All of the western states do so, except for California. The public perception of suppressors as the same thing as silencers, where the assassin quietly dispatches his victim, no longer holds true. Suppressors mitigate the sound of a shot, but do not silence it.

The use of suppressors for hunting, when hunters cannot wear ear protection because they need to be aware of their surroundings, can help protect against hearing loss. This is especially true for our younger hunters, even those who are not actually hunting, but are accompanying their parent in the field.

I understand the concerns regarding the risks of increased poaching and do not take this lightly, but other states have not found this to be the case.”

Montana has become the 35 state to permit hunting with suppressors without restrictions and the 36th state to permit hunting with a suppressor. The use of a Gun Trust can simply the process or purchasing a suppressor and permit additional authorized users, which is not possible when purchased as an individual. If you are looking for a Montana Gun Trust or Montana NFA trust contact us for further information on the process.

March 25, 2015

Hunting with Suppressors in Ohio now legal

by David M. Goldman

On March 23rd, Ohio repealed the prohibition on the use of legally possessed suppressors while hunting. Ohio has become the 35th state to permit hunters to use legally possessed suppressors while hunting. IN 2014 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana all enacted legislation to permit the use of suppressors while hunting. Ohio also enacted Shall Sign legislation.

Among the many benefits, to using suppressors are:

HEARING PROTECTION: Noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus are two of the most common afflictions for recreational shooters and hunters. Everyone knows that gunfire is loud, but very few people understand the repercussions that shooting can have on their hearing until it’s too late. Suppressors reduce the noise of a gunshot by an average of 20 – 35 dB, which is roughly the same as earplugs or earmuffs. By decreasing the overall sound signature, suppressors help to preserve the hearing of recreational shooters, hunters, and hunting dogs around the world.

December 23, 2014

Ohio Legalizes Hunting with Suppressors

by David M. Goldman

In 90 days, it will be legal to hunt with Suppressors in Ohio. On Friday, December 19th Gov. John Kasich signed a massive overhaul of Ohio’s Gun Law including removing the restriction for hunting with a suppressor (sometimes called a silencer). This follows the recent legalization of hunting with Suppressors in Florida. A vast majority of states now permits hunting with suppressors.

Also signed was legislation to require CLEOs to sign Form 4s and Form 1s.

The “shall certify” provision which requires a chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) to sign off on an application to transfer an item regulated by the National Firearms Act, once the application procedure and requirements are met. This provision eliminates personal bias towards NFA-related items, requiring CLEOs to sign off and process the application in the same way they do a concealed handgun license.

While many feel shall certify legislation is a good thing, the risk is that people will purchase items as an individual and not use a Gun Trust from a Gun Trust Lawyer®. There are many advantages to purchasing NFA firearms using a Gun Trust, including the ability to protect innocent spouses and others from charges of constructive possession or illegal transfers under the NFA. There are many advantages to using a Gun Trust over individual ownership. For a list of these advantages, request our free report on what is a Gun Trust and Why you should have one by completing the form on this page for more information.

November 21, 2014

Florida becomes 33rd State to Legalize Hunting with Suppressors

by David M. Goldman

Unlike most states which have changed the laws, In Florida you can hunt with Suppressors starting today.

This morning the following announcement was sent out by Marion Hammer the Executive Director of the SSF and past president of the NRA

DATE: November 21, 2014 TO: USF & NRA Member and Friends FROM: Marion P. Hammer USF Executive Director

November 19, 2014

Florida Vote on Hunting with Suppressors this week- Time to Get a Florida Gun Trust

by David M. Goldman

It is expected that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will repeal the 1957 ban on hunting with a sound suppressor.

This change will remove the prohibition on the use of suppressed firearms for taking (hunting) deer, gray squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys, quail and crows.

10 states have recently permitted hunting with suppressor and now there are 32 other states besides Florida that permit hunting of game animals with suppressors

June 10, 2014

Florida to Discuss Hunting with Suppressor Next Week

by David M. Goldman

I received an email regarding a clarification of the previous version of this blog.

The email I received was to clarify what was happening and stated that there will be discussions with their Commissioners to let them know that they are taking a look at the issue of hunting GAME animals with a suppressor in Florida and plans to bring a draft rule change for the Commission’s consideration at the September Commission meeting.

At that time, the proposal would be to allow the use of suppressors for hunting Game animals. The hunting of Game animals in is permitted in a majority of states and Florida, which usually leads the nation in gun legislation, is clearly in the minority.

June 3, 2014

Can I Hunt in Florida with a Suppressor (Silencer)? Updated

by David M. Goldman

To answer this question you must look a the Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative code. While Florida Law does not specifically grant the right to use a suppressor while hunting in certain conditions, you must remember that laws do not grant rights they restrict them so by interpreting what rights you do not have, you can determine what is left.

In Florida there are four classifications of land:

Wildlife Management Areas;

May 30, 2014

Louisiana Hunting with Suppressors legal effective August 1, 2014

by David M. Goldman

Yesterday, the Governor of Louisiana signed House Bill 186 into law. This law will legalize the use of suppressors while hunting for all game and non-game animals in the state of Louisiana. The law is effective August 1, 2014. The current trend in the United States is to legalize the use of suppressors while hunting. Over 30 states now permit the use of a suppressors while hunting either game or non-game animals. This year, three states, including Georgia and Alabama have legalized hunting with suppressors and give hunters the ability to protect their hearing.

The ASA reports that a similar measure is in progress in Ohio. Louisiana statute even allows for the use of suppressors while hunting non-game animals.

Under the National Firearms Act, an individual, trust, or business entity may purchase a suppressor. A Gun Trust is designed to allow for multiple people to be in possession of the suppressor which is not allowed with an individual purchase. In addition, a purchase by a Gun Trust can speed up the process by removing the necessity to obtain a CLEO sign-off and when the ATF brings back electronic filing, a Trust application for a Form 4 purchase from an FFL can be filed electronically which can reduce the time for approval.