NEW YORK: SUPPRESSOR BILL SCHEDULED FOR COMMITTEE HEARING

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On Wednesday, June 7th, the New York Senate Environmental Conservation Committee is scheduled to hear Senate Bill 1209A. Introduced in January by Senator Robert Ortt (R, C, IP), SB 1209A seeks to legalize suppressor ownership and hunting in New York state. Suppressors are currently legal to own in 42 states, 40 of which allow their use while hunting.

Although legal in 42 states, suppressors have been federally regulated since the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934. Currently, prospective buyers must send in a Form 4 application to the ATF, pay a $200 transfer tax per suppressor, undergo the same process that is required to purchase a machine gun, and wait eight to twelve months for the ATF to process and approve the paperwork. In stark contrast, many countries in Europe place little to no regulations on their purchase, possession, or use.

With your help, we can bring New York one step closer to becoming the 43rd state to legalize suppressors. Using the contact information below, please contact members of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee and politely urge them to vote in support of S 1209A.  

Chairman Thomas O’Mara (R,C,IP) – omara@nysenate.gov

Vice-Chair Tony Avella (D,IP) – avella@nysenate.gov 

Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D) – kaminsky@nysenate.gov

Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D) – addabbo@nysenate.gov

Sen. Richard Funke (R, C, IP) – Funke@nysenate.gov

Sen. Brad Holyman (D, WF) – hoylman@nysenate.gov

Sen. George Latimer (D) – latimer@nysenate.gov

Sen. Kenneth P. LaValle (R) – lavalle@nysenate.gov

Sen. Betty Little (R, C, IP) – little@nysenate.gov

Sen. Carl L Marcellino (R, C, IP) – marcelli@nysenate.gov

Sen. Robert G. Ortt (R, C, IP) – Ortt@nysenate.gov

Sen. Elaine Phillips (R) – ephillips@nysenate.gov

Sen. James Tedisco (R, C) – tedisco@nysenate.gov

There are many benefits to using a suppressor, including:

  1. 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.
  2. SAFER HUNTING: Most hunters do not wear hearing protection in the field because they want to hear their surroundings. The trouble is, exposure to even a single unsuppressed gunshot can, and often does, lead to permanent hearing damage. Suppressors allow hunters to maintain full situational awareness, while still protecting their hearing. The result is a safer hunting experience for the hunter, and for those nearby.
  3. NOISE COMPLAINTS: As urban developments advance into rural areas, shooting ranges and hunting preserves across the country are being closed due to noise complaints. Although it can still be heard, suppressed gunfire helps mitigate noise complaints from those who live near shooting ranges and hunting land.
  4. ACCURACY:  Suppressors reduce recoil, and help decrease muzzle flinch. These benefits lead to improved accuracy, better shot placement, and more humane hunts.

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Although legal in 42 states, suppressors have been federally regulated since the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934. Currently, prospective buyers must send in a Form 4 application to the ATF, pay a $200 transfer tax per suppressor, undergo the same process that is required to purchase a machine gun, and wait eight to twelve months for the ATF to process and approve the paperwork. In stark contrast, many countries in Europe place little to no regulations on their purchase, possession, or use.

According to Dr. William W. Clark, the current Director of the Washington University School of Medicine’s Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences, “the most serious threat to hearing comes from recreational hunting or target shooting”. This is in large part due to the fact that many people choose not to use traditional hearing protection devices like earplugs and earmuffs. To explain why, multiple studies have found that between 70 to 80% of hunters never wear earplugs or earmuffs, and nearly half of all target shooters don’t consistently wear traditional hearing protection. It should come as no surprise that for every five years of hunting, you become seven percent more likely to experience high frequency hearing loss.

In a 2011 study, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated, “the only potentially effective noise control method to reduce students’ or instructors’ noise exposure from gunfire is through the use of noise suppressors that can be attached to the end of the gun barrel. However, some states do not permit civilians to use suppressors on firearms.” In a similar study from 2014 on noise exposure at shooting ranges, NIOSH recommended, “if feasible and legally permissible, attach noise suppressors to firearms to reduce peak sound pressure levels.”

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SUPPRESSOR ASSOCIATION 

The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is the unified voice of the suppressor industry. Our mission is to unite and advocate for the common interests of suppressor manufacturers, distribu­tors, dealers, and consumers. To accomplish our mission, our principal initiatives focus on state lobbying, federal lobbying, public education, and industry outreach.

This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Dan

    I now wear hearing aids from shooting on the Alabama National Guard Pistol Team. For years I did not know I could get them as a veteran. The cost for good hearing aids are probably prohibited for the typical American. I now also shoot most of my weapons with suppressor.

  2. ASA

    We hear this exact story quite often. It is one of the reasons we are fighting so hard for pro-suppressor reform. It doesn’t have to be this way. The technology exists to prevent it.

  3. Perry Ragusa

    We have common sense legislation that makes perfect sense
    We can protect the hunter and sportsman by passing this into law
    let’s make the shooting sports a safer environment for everyone

  4. Milad

    Thank you ASA for pushing this in New York. It is very difficult to get pro 2nd amendment legislation passed in this state. We need to keep the push to protect our bill of rights.

  5. ASA

    They want you to give up. It is easier to rule subjects once you’ve broken their spirits. Don’t let that happen!

  6. Kevin Peterson

    yes to suppressor

Comments are closed.