Help make suppressors legal for hunting in Michigan

[rjrivero]

As you may be aware, private ownership of silencers has recently been legalized in Michigan. The law on the books says that in order to own a silencer in Michigan, you must be properly licensed by the United States Treasury Department. For a long time, it was interpreted to mean you had to have an FFL and SOT. The problem is that in order to be a dealer for silencers you need a clientèle. Not so easy to come by.

Attorney General Bill Schutte wrote a letter on Sep 2, 2011 that interprets the transfer stamp process meeting approval for this requirement, in effect allowing for private ownership of silencers in Michigan.

However, Michigan's Wildlife Conservation Order 2.1(6) states it is illegal to possess or use a silencer for hunting.

Wildlife Conservation Orders are amended by the Natural Resources Commission. It is a "relatively easy" task to have them change the Wildlife Conservation Orders, and thereby allow for silencers for hunting in Michigan.

I'm asking that anyone who hunts in Michigan please write the Natural Resources Commission and ask them to consider removing this restriction on silencers.

This is a quick little letter I wrote that you are free to use in whole or in part at your own discretion.

Originally Posted by Letter to Natural Resources Commission

rjrivero
address
city, ST ZIP

October 10, 2011

Mary C. Brown
1624 Grand Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
269-344-0536

For the removal of silencer restrictions for hunters in Michigan.

Ms. Brown,

I am writing you this letter to request consideration for legalizing Silencers for use in Michigan for Hunting. As you may be aware, on September 2, 2011, the Attorney General Bill Schutte wrote an opinion letter that provides a proper transfer stamp from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National Firearms Branch is indeed approval for an individual to own and use silencers in Michigan. (Opinion #7260)

However, as you know, The Wildlife Conservation Order Chapter 2.1 (6) states a person may not possess or use a silencer while hunting in Michigan.

Up to this point it hasn't been an issue for someone wanting to hunt in Michigan, because Michigan didn't allow for private silencer ownership. However, in light of the Attorney General Schutte's opinion #7260, it may be prudent to review this restriction and remove it from The Wildlife Conservation Orders.

Silencers or suppressors do NOT make a gun shot “quiet” per se. A good silencer can reduce a typical hunting rifle gunshot from 160dB to about 130dB. A 30dB reduction is approximately the same as a good pair of ear plugs or ear muffs. The benefit is that many hunters do not like to use ear plugs or ear muffs because they can not hear game approaching. However, it becomes a health liability not to shoot without hearing protection.

Silencers would also reduce sound pollution for our neighbors in and around hunting land in Michigan.

There are 19 states in the Union that allow unrestricted use of silencers while hunting. I urge you to make Michigan the 20th.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

rjrivero

Their contact information is as follows and is available on the Michigan DNR Website. The email is for the secretary for the Commission.

Commissioner Names and Addresses

Mary C. Brown
1624 Grand Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
269-344-0536
Appointed: 1/6/04
Reappointed: 2/6/08
Term Expires: 12/31/11
Democrat

Hurley J. Coleman, Jr.
2405 Bay Road
Saginaw, MI 48602
989-752-7957 (Office)
Appointed: 1/10/07
Reappointed: 2/6/08
Term Expires: 12/31/11
Democrat

John Madigan
831 W. Munising Avenue
Munising, MI 49862
906-387-4468 (Office)
Appointed: 1/1/03
Reappointed: 4/6/07 and 1/13/11
Term Expires: 12/31/14
Republican

John Matonich
9502 Shyre Circle
Davison, MI 48423
810-653-4817 (Office)
Appointed: 7/1/10
Term Expires: 12/31/13
Democrat

Tim Nichols (Chair)
111 Birchwood Lane
Cadillac, MI 49601
517-373-2352
Appointed 5/6/09
Term Expires 12/31/12
Democrat

J. R. Richardson
36658 McGuire Road
Ontonagon, MI 49953
906-885-7187 (Office)
Appointed: 4/6/07
Reappointed: 1/13/11
Term Expires: 12/31/14
Republican

Frank C. Wheatlake
Reed City Power Line Supply
420 N. Roth Street, Suite A
Reed City, MI 49677
231-796-5491 (Home)
231-832-2298 (Office)
Appointed: 2/6/01
Re-Appointed: 5/3/05 and 5/6/09
Term Expires: 12/31/12
Independent

Department of Natural Resources
Executive Division
Attention: Debbie Whipple
P.O. BOX 30028
Lansing, MI 48909
517-373-2352
[email protected]

[hermannr]

This last year WA just made suppressors legal...with a lot of help of the LE community....why? Health: save your hearing while hunting or target practicing.

That is the approach you should use. Hunting is normally done without hearing protection, therefore lots of hearing damage...

Try it, it might work for you too. It is in the state's interest to protect the health of the community as a whole.