ATLANTA (January 31, 2012) – The Georgia Senate passed SB 301 today, which if enacted, would allow the use of a firearm silencer for hunting purposes. The bill passed on a 48-5 vote and was sponsored by Sen. John Bulloch (R-Ochlocknee).
“This is a carefully regulated bill that will allow hunters to continue to solve the problem of feral animal overpopulation while reducing the amount of noise associated with a firearm,” said Sen. Bulloch. “As Georgia continues to grow in population, the spaces between rural and suburban areas narrow. This bill will ultimately alleviate the number of complaints received by local law enforcement agencies.”
The silencer must be properly licensed through a rigorous process, including a six to eight month tax stamp approval process and multiple background checks. The overall cost of acquiring a firearm silencer, including taxes and purchase price, usually exceeds $1,000. If signed into law, Georgia would join 15 other states in allowing the use of silencers on hunting firearms.
Co-sponsors of SB 301 include Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), Sen. Ross Tolleson (R-Perry), Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth), Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga) and Sen. Greg Goggans (R-Douglas).
SB 301 will now transfer to the House of Representatives.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2012
Natalie Dale, Director
Jennifer Yarber, Deputy Director
jennifer.yarber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028