Yesterday, February 11, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) voted to repeal the long-standing state prohibition on hunting with legally possessed firearm sound suppressors. With the repeal of Wildlife Conservation Order 2.1(6), Michigan becomes the 38th state to recognize the utility of suppressor technology for law-abiding sportsmen.
While several iterations of the rule change were contemplated over the past several months, the NRC ultimately decided that an outright repeal of the prohibition on suppressed hunting was in the best interest of sportsmen in The Great Lakes State. This is a major victory for law-abiding sportsmen in Michigan.
In recent years, the use of suppressors has seen significant growth as more shooters and sportsmen learn of their benefits. Evidence has shown that the use of suppressors fosters a safer and more enjoyable shooting and hunting experience for the following reasons:
- Suppressors protect against permanent hearing loss, one of the most commonly experienced hunting-related injuries, by decreasing the decibel level associated with muzzle blast;
- Suppressors increase shot accuracy by reducing noise and felt recoil, thereby mitigating trigger flinch and resulting in a more humane taking of game;
- Suppressors mitigate many of the hindrances associated with introducing newer generations to hunting, thereby helping to ensure the propagation of Michigan’s rich hunting heritage; and
- Suppressors benefit wildlife populations by decreasing stress and behavioral changes resulting from loud, widely audible firearm report.
Your NRA-ILA would like to thank the NRC Commissioners, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, American Suppressor Association (ASA), and the numerous Michiganders who provided public testimony and made phone calls in support of this rule change.
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