GA:Gun Mufflers for Hunting Passes Senate

Use of Silencers is encouraged in Europe Photo Courtesy Gun World

Gun mufflers, also known as suppressors or silencers, have been approved for hunting in Georgia by the Senate.

The bill passed the senate 43-10.  SB 93 will be considered by the house next. 

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding hunting, so as to authorize the use of suppressors on hunting firearms under certain circumstances; to provide for suspension of hunting privileges for persons who are convicted of hunting without landowner permission, hunting in an area that is closed to hunting, or hunting big game out of season or at night with a suppressor equipped firearm; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

The United States has some of the most restrictive laws about the use and ownership of gun mufflers of any country in the world.  Most European countries treat the devises as simply another firearm accessory.   No one knows why gun mufflers were included in the National Firearms Act of 1934.  In that act, existing gun mufflers had to be registered with the federal government, and a tax of $200 paid, which was the equivalent of $4,000 today.  As the gun mufflers were commonly sold for $10 or less, the law was an effective ban on legal ownership of the devices.

There were no movies or television shows linking the devises to fictional figures in organized crime, nor was any other reason given for including the devices in the 1934 ban.   The unintended consequences of hearing loss for tens of millions of shooters was not even considered.  It wasn't until the 1960's that the effect of the exposure to momentary loud noises on hearing loss was well understood.

Inflation has reduced the real cost of the tax to near the cost of the mufflers, and the obvious safety and social utility of these devices is receiving more attention.  In Europe, use of gun mufflers is encouraged as a polite way of not disturbing the peace and quiet of your neighbors morning when you dispatch a garden pest or engage in some target practice.

In Finland, gun mufflers for .22 caliber firearms sell over the counter for the equivalent of 50 dollars.

©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
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