Indiana: NRA-Backed Hunting Reform Goes to House Floor

Yesterday, House Bill 1563 was reported unanimously by the House Natural Resources Committee.  HB 1563 now goes to the full House of Representatives where it could be scheduled for consideration as early as tomorrow.

HB 1563, sponsored by state Representative Sean Eberhart (R-57), would allow hunters in Indiana to use lawfully-possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms while hunting.  While suppressors do not eliminate the sound of a firearm, they do reduce the muzzle report in a manner similar to the way that a muffler reduces exhaust noise from a vehicle.

Please contact your state Representative TODAY and urge him or her to support House Bill 1563 .  For help identifying your state Representative and their contact information, please click here.

Currently, more than half of the states allow hunters to use suppressors while hunting.  There are numerous benefits to hunting with suppressed firearms, including:

• Increased use of suppressors will help to eliminate noise complaints that are frequently an excuse to close hunting lands throughout the country.  This will protect hunting areas well into the future.
• Using a suppressor while hunting will reduce recoil and muzzle rise to help increase the accuracy of hunters.  More accurate shooting in the field means fewer wounded and lost animals--a good thing for hunters and wildlife.
• Hearing protection is not necessary with suppressed gunfire, so hunters will be able to protect their long-term hearing.  Hunters often fail to use ear plugs or similar devices in many field applications, creating permanent hearing damage and tinnitus.

Recently, Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas adopted new rules allowing for use of suppressors when hunting game.  It’s time that hunters in Indiana are able to enjoy the same opportunities available to sportsmen in more than half of the country.  For more information on firearms and suppressors, click here.

Again, please contact your state Representative and urge him or her to support House Bill 1563.