Washington, DC –-(Ammoland.com)- On September 1, 2012, a new regulation allowing hunters in the state of Texas to use suppressors while pursuing game animals will go into effect.
With the passage of the new rule by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWD) on March 30, Texas became the second state in 2012 to legalize suppressor use while hunting. In 2012, similar measures were also passed legislatively in Arizona and Oklahoma.
“These devices are already legal for hunting exotic animals, including feral hogs, and there is no resource- or enforcement-related reason to prohibit these devices for hunting alligators, game animals or game birds,” Scott Vaca, TPWD Assistant Chief of Wildlife Enforcement, said in a statement released on March 30.
Contrary to popular belief, suppressors, also referred to as silencers, do not render gunshots inaudible. However, oftentimes they do reduce the report of a firearm to hearing safe levels, helping to protect the shooter and those nearby from permanent hearing damage.
In order for a civilian to purchase a suppressor, they must live in one of the 39 states that allow civilian ownership. All applicants must submit an ATF Form 4, in duplicate, to the National Firearms Act Branch of the ATF for each suppressor purchased. A Form 4, or Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm, includes a stringent background check that is conducted by the FBI. In addition, applicants must submit a $200 payment for the transfer tax, duplicate copies of passport photos and fingerprints, and receive a signoff from a chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) in their jurisdiction. From start to finish, this transfer process takes anywhere from 30 days to one year to complete.
The American Silencer Association would like to congratulate Texas, Arizona, and Oklahoma for enacting their new laws and regulations. The ASA will continue to work off of their momentum to push for additional suppressor regulatory reform in those states which do not allow civilian ownership or suppressor use while hunting.
About the American Silencer Association
The American Silencer Association (ASA) is a non-profit trade association, whose mission is to further the pursuit of education, public relations, legislation, and hunting, law enforcement, and military applications for the silencer industry. For more information on how you can help protect your silencer rights, visit www.AmericanSilencerAssociation.com.
Would it be legel to make your own suppressor?
<<>> I am not a lawyer. If you live in an area where it is impossible to get the CLEO to sign off on your form (for example, Harris County, TX) another option is to set up a revocable living trust, and have the trust purchase the NFA regulated items. Purchases through a trust are not subject to the CLEO signature requirement. I VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIRING A LAWYER TO DO THIS. If you are at a point in your firearms collecting where you are considering NFA items, then the money is not an issue. Also, having everything done perfectly,… Read more »