Oklahoma: NRA-Backed Pro-Hunting Legislation Re-Assigned to Senate Committee and Needs Your Help!

Posted on February 24, 2012

Please Contact Members of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee Today!

NRA-backed Senate Bill 1743, authored by state Senator Steve Russell (R-45), would allow Oklahomans to use lawfully-possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms for hunting.

SB 1743, the “Landowner’s Hunting Freedom Act," provides for the legalized use of suppressors for landowners and their guests. SB 1743 did not get heard in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee prior to its committee deadline and was re-assigned to the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. This new Senate committee is scheduled to meet this Monday, February 27, and will be considering this bill.

In order to acquire a suppressor, a purchaser must submit the appropriate paperwork to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives where long wait times for approval are unfortunately common (four to six months), undergo a background check by the FBI, find a licensed dealer authorized to conduct the transaction and pay a one-time $200 tax for each device.

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. The benefits associated with suppressor use include increased accuracy due to reduced recoil and muzzle blast, protection from hearing damage and reduced noise pollution.

Noise complaints are being used more frequently as an excuse to close shooting ranges, informal shooting areas, and hunting lands throughout the country. Increased use of suppressors will help to eliminate many of these complaints and protect hunting and shooting areas well into the future. For more information on firearms and suppressors, click here.

Please contact members of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee TODAY and respectfully request their support of SB 1743!

Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee:

Senator Eddie Fields (R-10), Chairman
(405) 521-5581
efields@oksenate.gov

Senator Ron Justice (R-23), Vice Chairman
(405) 521-5537
justice@oksenate.gov

Senator Mark Allen (R-4)
(405) 521-5576
allen@oksenate.gov

Senator Patrick Anderson (R-19)
(405) 521-5630
anderson@oksenate.gov

Senator Don Barrington (R-31)
(405) 521-5563
barrington@oksenate.gov

Senator Randy Bass (D-32)
(405) 521-5567
bass@oksenate.gov

Senator Jerry Ellis (D-5)
(405) 521-5614
ellis@oksenate.gov

Senator Ivester (D-26)
(405) 521-5545
ivester@oksenate.gov

Senator Frank Simpson (R-14)|
(405) 521-5607
simpson@oksenate.gov

Senator Anthony Sykes (R-24)
(405) 521-5569
lewis@oksenate.gov