*** News / Call To Action ***

Iowa: Senate Vote On Suppressor Legalization Scheduled For Tomorrow

The ASA has received word that House File 2279 will be taken up by the Iowa State Senate tomorrow. The bill, which passed the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee by an 11 – 2 margin, seeks to legalize suppressors in The Hawkeye State. We will be sure to keep you updated once the floor debate and vote take place.

The ASA is very excited about the prospects of this bill becoming law, but we need your help to push this effort past the finish line! Using this link, please contact your Senators and politely urge them to support HF 2279.

Source: http://americansuppressorassoc...eduled-for-tomorrow/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Storm,

*** News / Call To Action ***

NH: Suppressor Hunting Bill Passes Senate Unanimously

This afternoon, the New Hampshire Senate unanimously passed Rep. John Burt’s (R-Hillsborough) HB 500 by a 23-0 vote. Now that this bill has passed the Senate, it will head back to the House next week for a concurrence, as the Senate version includes a minor amendment. A House vote is expected next week, and from there it will head to Governor Hassan’s desk.

The ASA is very appreciative of the support Sig Sauer and Ruger, two firearm and suppressor manufacturers with large footprints in New Hampshire, provided to get this bill pushed forward. We are also appreciative of all the help that Brent Miller and Rep. Jeff Goley (D-Hillsborough) of the New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus have provided in getting this bill where it is today.

While this vote represents a major step forward for suppressor hunting legalization in NH, we still need your help. Please reach out to Gov. Hassan and politely urge her to sign HB 500 into law when it reaches her desk, which could happen as soon as late next week. With your help, three years of work will finally pay off, and sportsmen and women in New Hampshire will soon be able to use suppressors to protect their hearing while hunting in the Granite State.


Source: http://americansuppressorassoc...-senate-unanimously/

*** News ***

Iowa Senate PASSES Hearing Protection Act 46-4!

At approximately 9:30 Thursday morning the Iowa Senate passed House File 2279 by a vote of 46 to 4. HF2279, the Hearing Protection Act, removes suppressors from Iowa’s list of so-called “offensive weapons.” If signed into law this would legalize the civilian ownership of firearm suppressors in the State of Iowa. For years the Iowa Senate has a literal dead-end for most every gun bill introduced in the Iowa legislature.

When given an opportunity to speak out against the legalization of suppressors in Iowa not a single Senator chose to do so. In fact the only Senator who said anything was Senator Julian Garrett of Warren County who noted how long overdue this bill is and long we’ve been working to legalize suppressors in Iowa.

Those voting against the bill were:
Joe Bolkcom
Bob Dvorsky
Rob Hogg
Herman Quirmbach

What comes next?

There was an amendment attached by the Senate to HF2279. No need to worry though, the bill’s original intent remains intact. The amendment merely cleanup up a few small grammatical errors.

The Hearing Protection Act now goes back to the House of Representatives. The House will have to decide whether or not to approve the amendment. The Iowa Firearms Coalition has been in ongoing discussions with the House leadership and they have indicated they will address the issue in a quick manner. We fully expect the House to approve the amendment and send HF2279 to Governor Branstad’s desk in short order. Tentative indications are the Governor will sign the bill.

Source: http://iowafc.org/blog/2016/03...protection-act-46-4/

*** News ***

Iowa: Suppressor Legislation Heads To Governor

This afternoon, Iowa became one step closer towards legalizing suppressors when House File 2279 passed a concurrence vote in the Iowa House of Representatives by a 76 – 20 margin. After passing the Iowa Senate last week on a 46-4 vote, the bill will now head to Governor Branstad for his signature. Once signed into law, Iowa will immediately become the 42nd state in which civilians can possess lawfully obtained suppressors, and the 39th state to allow for the use of suppressors while hunting.

For three years, the American Suppressor Association, the Iowa Firearms Coalition (IFC), and the National Rifle Association have worked together to legalize suppressors in The Hawkeye State. Along the way, we have worked very closely with Rep. Matt Windschitl (R-17) and Rep. Terry Baxter (R-08) to get suppressor legislation to the Governor’s desk. Our work, in conjunction with the thousands of letters, emails, and calls to the legislature from supportive Iowans, is finally about to pay off.

Gov. Branstad has indicated directly to the American Suppressor Association that he will sign HF 2279 into law. We anticipate that he will do so by the end of next week, granting sportsmen and women across the state the ability to use suppressors to protect their hearing while hunting and recreationally shooting. As always, we will keep you informed of any updates as they arise.

Source: http://americansuppressorassoc...n-heads-to-governor/

ETA: Link to Iowa Government webpage for bills signed into law.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Storm,

Just a bit of info from the American Suppressor Association.

From ASA:
"... our primary targets right now are Illinois, Massachusetts, and Delaware for ownership, and New Hampshire and Vermont for hunting."

Source: ASA's Facebook Page

As can be seen from the reports above, the bills in Iowa and New Hampshire are on, or on their way to, their respective governor's desks.

*** Update - Iowa ***

Iowa's Governor Branstad has schedule the signing of the bill legalizing suppressors for possession and hunting for March 31. Since this is a hard date, I'm releasing the latest map update early.

---

Iowa: Bill Signing Scheduled For Thursday

quote:

Governor Branstad has announced that he will sign House File 2279, also known as the Hearing Protection Act, into law on Thursday, March 31st at 3PM. The new law will become “effective upon enactment”, meaning that Iowans will be able to possess and use suppressors as soon as he signs the bill into law.

To celebrate the new law, the American Suppressor Association will be hosting a public suppressor shoot from 10 AM to 1 PM on April 16th at the Big Springs Shooting Complex. We will be bringing the top manufacturers from across the country to showcase their products, and educate any interested Iowans on why they should be excited that Iowa became the 42nd state to legalize suppressors! Admission and ammo are free, so we encourage you to join us!

Source: http://americansuppressorassoc...eduled-for-thursday/

*** Request For Information ***

Do any of our New Hampshire members know what the status is of the Suppressed Hunting Bill (HB 500)? It was passed and supposed to go to the Governor for signature around 3/18/16, but I can find no more information about it.

Thanks,
Storm

*** News / Call To Action ***

I just found this information on the New Hampshire suppressed hunting bill from the NRA. It's still in the house waiting for a concurrence vote.


New Hampshire: NRA-Endorsed Suppressor Legislation Moves to House for Final Approval

Several weeks ago, the New Hampshire Senate unanimously voted in favor of House Bill 500, legislation that would allow gun owners to use firearm sound suppressors while hunting. HB 500 is now before the House for concurrence and could be voted on as early as Wednesday, April 6. Please contact your state Representative by clicking the “Take Action” button below and politely urge him or her to vote to concur on HB 500!

Take Action

House Bill 500, sponsored by Representative John Burt (R-39), would repeal the current ban on the use of legal firearm sound suppressors while hunting. Sound suppressors attached to firearms are an additional tool available to help protect the shooter’s hearing, reduce noise complaints from surrounding residents, as well as increase accuracy and safety. If passed, New Hampshire would be the 40th state to allow the use of suppressors while hunting.

With your help, hunting with suppressors could soon become legal in New Hampshire! Once again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact your state Representative in support of HB 500. Also, please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on this bill as it progresses through the General Court of New Hampshire.

Source: https://www.nraila.org/article...e-for-final-approval

I'm happy to say I've been following Oklahoma HB2637. It's most recent activity was a day after the most recent article about it I could find.
NRA-ILA article on OK's two current bills

It passed the most recent vote 86-10. This bill will allow people with suppressors to use them on Public Property instead of just private property as currently allowed. Unless our governor pulls another silly stunt, it should pass, be signed into law and take effect Nov.1 this fall!

quote:

Originally posted by Carson:
I'm happy to say I've been following Oklahoma HB2637. It's most recent activity was a day after the most recent article about it I could find.
NRA-ILA article on OK's two current bills

It passed the most recent vote 86-10. This bill will allow people with suppressors to use them on Public Property instead of just private property as currently allowed. Unless our governor pulls another silly stunt, it should pass, be signed into law and take effect Nov.1 this fall!

Thanks for the info. Keep us updated. If it passes, I'll get it up on the map.

*** News / Call to Action ***

Bill allowing hunting with suppressors on public land passes Oklahoma senate and goes to governor for signature.


Yesterday, the Senate passed House Bill 2637 by a 40-6 vote. This important legislation will now be sent to Governor Mary Fallin where it will await her consideration. Please click the “Take Action” button below to contact Governor Fallin and politely urge her to sign House Bill 2637 into law.

Under current Oklahoma law, it is only legal for Oklahomans to hunt with a suppressor as long as they are on private property with permission from the landowner. In recent years, the use of suppressors has seen significant growth as more shooters and sportsmen learn of their benefits. HB 2637 would revise current law and allow Oklahomans the freedom to hunt with suppressors on both public and private land.


Source: https://www.nraila.org/article...oving-in-legislature

*** News ***

Second piece of news today. Finally some news on the New Hampshire bill.


New Hampshire: Suppressor Hunting Bill Passes First Concurrence Vote


This morning, the New Hampshire House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee voted 11-5 to concur with a minor amendment made to Rep. John Burt’s (R-Hillsborough) HB 500 by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The changes removed the “Findings” section from the original language, but did not alter the functionality of the legislation. From here, the bill will now move to the House floor for a final concurrence vote on May 11th before heading to Governor Hassan’s desk.

While this vote represents a major step forward towards making New Hampshire the 40th state to legalize suppressor hunting, we still need your help. Please reach out to Gov. Hassan and politely urge her to sign HB 500 into law when it reaches her desk. With your help, the sportsmen and women of New Hampshire will soon be able to use suppressors to protect their hearing while hunting in the Granite State.

Source: http://americansuppressorassoc...st-concurrence-vote/

*** Update - Oklahoma ***

On April 25th, Oklahoma's Governor sign bill HB 2637 into law, allowing suppressors to be used for hunting on public land. The law went into effect immediately. Previously, suppressors could only be used while hunting on private land.



Source: https://www.nraila.org/article...tion-signed-into-law

*** News/Call To Action ***

New Hampshire: Suppressor Hunting Bill Passes First Concurrence Vote


Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to concur with a minor amendment made to Rep. John Burt’s (R-Hillsborough) HB 500 by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The changes removed the “Findings” section from the original language, but did not alter the functionality of the legislation. From here, the bill will now move to Governor Hassan’s desk for her signature.

While this vote represents a major step forward towards making New Hampshire the 40th state to legalize suppressor hunting, we still need your help. Please reach out to Gov. Hassan and politely urge her to sign HB 500 into law when it reaches her desk. With your help, the sportsmen and women of New Hampshire will soon be able to use suppressors to protect their hearing while hunting in the Granite State.

Gov. Hassan’s Contact Information


Source: http://americansuppressorassoc...-concurrence-vote-2/

*** News/Call To Action - Illinois ***

ASA is urging Illinois gun owners to contact your state senator and urge them to take up SB 206 (which will legalize suppressors in Illinois) during the summer session.


Illinois: Suppressor Legislation Still Alive, Needs Your Help

For over two years, the American Suppressor Association has been working alongside the National Rifle Association to legalize suppressors in Illinois. On Sunday, May 29th, Senate Bill 206 was amended in the House Judiciary Committee to include language to legalize the possession and use of these hearing protection devices in the state. On Tuesday evening, the Illinois House of Representatives voted 69 to 46 to pass SB 206 in an overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion.

Unfortunately, the Senate did not take up the measure for a concurrence vote before adjourning just before midnight. However, because the Illinois General Assembly failed to pass a budget, they will be returning for a summer session, during which SB 206 can be called to the Senate floor for a vote.

If you live in Illinois, it is important that you contact your state Senator, and also call Senate President John Cullerton (D-6) at (217) 782-2728, and politely urge them to call to the floor and pass SB 206 during this summer session. You can contact your state Senator and Senate President Cullerton by clicking the NRA-ILA’s “Take Action” link.

We would like to thank all of those who took the time to contact their legislators in support of this important pro-suppressor reform. We would also like to thank Representatives Brandon Phelps (D-118) and Jerry Costello (D-116) for their hard work in passing SB 206 in the House. Without everyone’s hard work, we would not be where we are today.


Source: http://americansuppressorassoc...slation-still-alive/

*** Update - New Hampshire ***

New Hampshire's Governor signed bill HB 500 into law today, legalizing the use of suppressors while hunting in that state. The law became effective upon passage.

---

New Hampshire: HB 500 Signed Into Law–Suppressor Hunting Now Legal

The American Suppressor Association is proud to announce that after 3 years and a lot of teamwork, suppressor hunting is now legal in the Granite State! Earlier today, Gov. Maggie Hassan signed Rep. John Burt’s (R-Hillsborough) HB 500 into law, making New Hampshire the 40th state to legalize suppressor hunting. We could not be more proud to have been part of the team that got this bill introduced, passed through both houses of the legislature, and finally signed into law!

As you may recall, the ASA began working with the New Hampshire Sportsmen’s Caucus three years ago to introduce legislation to bring New Hampshire on board with the 17 (now 18) states that have legalized suppressor hunting since 2011. We faced many obstacles along the way, including skeptical committee chairmen and Department of Fish and Game leadership, but in the end the logic in favor of allowing sportsmen and women to protect their hearing in the field prevailed.

The American Suppressor Association would like to thank a long list of people and groups who came together to make this day possible. First and foremost, we are incredibly grateful for Rep. John Burt’s sponsorship of the bill, as well as his continued championing of the issue each step of the way. We also could not have gotten here without the tireless efforts of Rep. Jeff Goley (D-Hillsborough), who was a constant champion from the Democratic side of the aisle. A special thanks is also due to Gov. Maggie Hassan for taking the time to learn about the benefits of suppressor hunting, and for signing HB 500 into law.

On the organizational front, we would like to thank the New Hampshire Sportsmen’s Caucus, and in particular Brent Miller, the Northeastern States Manager for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, who testified and advocated on behalf of this bill on too many occasions to count. We are also very grateful to New Hampshire-based Sig Sauer for the tremendous help they provided in pushing the bill past the finish line. This was a true team effort, and could not have happened without the efforts of everyone listed above, as well as many more we haven’t named.

Finally, the American Suppressor Association is grateful for the support of our members, and we are very excited about bringing legal suppressor hunting to New Hampshire. We will continue to work towards our goal of legalizing suppressor ownership and hunting in all 50 states. Special thanks to New Hampshire for taking us one step closer!




Source: http://americansuppressorassoc...r-hunting-now-legal/

I thought it would be interesting to do a progress post to see how far we have come on legalizing suppressors and hunting with suppressors.

Ten states (AL, FL, GA, LA, ME, MI, MT, NH, OH, OK) have gone from just allowing ownership (and some allowing limited hunting) to allowing hunting of game and non-game animals with suppressors.

Three states (IA, MN, VT) legalized ownership of suppressors.

Two states (IA, MN) went from prohibiting suppressors straight to allowing suppressed hunting.

A total of 13 states had their suppressor laws liberalized in the past 32 months.

Thanks to the efforts of the American Suppressor Association, the National Rifle Association, the various state firearms associations, and the gun owners in those states who called and wrote their legislators to get these laws changed.

October 2013


June 2016

*** Update - Text Change ***

Updated the text for the state classes to make things clearer.

The progress over the last few years has been incredible. Thank you Storm for tracking this so closely and for making it so easy and clear to follow with your maps.

quote:

Originally posted by Brett B:
The progress over the last few years has been incredible. Thank you Storm for tracking this so closely and for making it so easy and clear to follow with your maps.

You're very welcome. I'm glad you find these maps useful.