rjrivero 50 Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 As you may be aware, private ownership of silencers has recently been legalized in Michigan. The law on the books says that in order to own a silencer in Michigan, you must be properly licensed by the United States Treasury Department. For a long time, it was interpreted to mean you had to have an FFL and SOT. The problem is that in order to be a dealer for silencers you need a clientèle. Not so easy to come by. Attorney General Bill Schutte wrote a letter on Sep 2, 2011 that interprets the transfer stamp process meeting approval for this requirement, in effect allowing for private ownership of silencers in Michigan. However, Michigan's Wildlife Conservation Order 2.1(6) states it is illegal to possess or use a silencer for hunting. Wildlife Conservation Orders are amended by the Natural Resources Commission. It is a "relatively easy" task to have them change the Wildlife Conservation Orders, and thereby allow for silencers for hunting in Michigan. I'm asking that anyone who hunts in Michigan please write the Natural Resources Commission and ask them to consider removing this restriction on silencers. This is a quick little letter I wrote that you are free to use in whole or in part at your own discretion. rjriveroaddress city' date=' ST ZIP October 10, 2011 Mary C. Brown 1624 Grand Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49006 269-344-0536 For the removal of silencer restrictions for hunters in Michigan. Ms. Brown, I am writing you this letter to request consideration for legalizing Silencers for use in Michigan for Hunting. As you may be aware, on September 2, 2011, the Attorney General Bill Schutte wrote an opinion letter that provides a proper transfer stamp from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National Firearms Branch is indeed approval for an individual to own and use silencers in Michigan. (Opinion #7260) However, as you know, The Wildlife Conservation Order Chapter 2.1 (6) states a person may not possess or use a silencer while hunting in Michigan. Up to this point it hasn't been an issue for someone wanting to hunt in Michigan, because Michigan didn't allow for private silencer ownership. However, in light of the Attorney General Schutte's opinion #7260, it may be prudent to review this restriction and remove it from The Wildlife Conservation Orders. Silencers or suppressors do NOT make a gun shot “quiet” per se. A good silencer can reduce a typical hunting rifle gunshot from 160dB to about 130dB. A 30dB reduction is approximately the same as a good pair of ear plugs or ear muffs. The benefit is that many hunters do not like to use ear plugs or ear muffs because they can not hear game approaching. However, it becomes a health liability not to shoot without hearing protection. Silencers would also reduce sound pollution for our neighbors in and around hunting land in Michigan. There are 19 states in the Union that allow unrestricted use of silencers while hunting. I urge you to make Michigan the 20th. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, rjrivero[/quote'] Their contact information is as follows and is available on the Michigan DNR Website. The email is for the secretary for the Commission. Commissioner Names and Addresses Mary C. Brown 1624 Grand Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49006 269-344-0536 Appointed: 1/6/04 Reappointed: 2/6/08 Term Expires: 12/31/11 Democrat Hurley J. Coleman, Jr. 2405 Bay Road Saginaw, MI 48602 989-752-7957 (Office) Appointed: 1/10/07 Reappointed: 2/6/08 Term Expires: 12/31/11 Democrat John Madigan 831 W. Munising Avenue Munising, MI 49862 906-387-4468 (Office) Appointed: 1/1/03 Reappointed: 4/6/07 and 1/13/11 Term Expires: 12/31/14 Republican John Matonich 9502 Shyre Circle Davison, MI 48423 810-653-4817 (Office) Appointed: 7/1/10 Term Expires: 12/31/13 Democrat Tim Nichols (Chair) 111 Birchwood Lane Cadillac, MI 49601 517-373-2352 Appointed 5/6/09 Term Expires 12/31/12 Democrat J. R. Richardson 36658 McGuire Road Ontonagon, MI 49953 906-885-7187 (Office) Appointed: 4/6/07 Reappointed: 1/13/11 Term Expires: 12/31/14 Republican Frank C. Wheatlake Reed City Power Line Supply 420 N. Roth Street, Suite A Reed City, MI 49677 231-796-5491 (Home) 231-832-2298 (Office) Appointed: 2/6/01 Re-Appointed: 5/3/05 and 5/6/09 Term Expires: 12/31/12 Independent Department of Natural Resources Executive Division Attention: Debbie Whipple P.O. BOX 30028 Lansing, MI 48909 517-373-2352 whippled1@michigan.gov Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TO THE FLOOR IN A 63 121 Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 What are those 19 states??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Kenny 144 Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 No offense, but why would you want to use a 'can while hunting? Electronic earmuffs are better! Wait, may have just answered my own question: Do Michigan bears/wolves hear a dinner bell when a rifle goes off, like Alaska bears do? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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