Silencers for Texas Hunting

[UpTheIrons]

OK guys, let's get going! The public comment period is open! The meeting is March 30.

Among other things, TPWD is proposing the "legalization of firearm silencers to take game animals and game birds."

From the proposal:

The proposed amendment to §65.11, concerning Lawful Means, would allow the use of firearm silencers to hunt alligators, game animals and game birds. Under current rule, the use of sound-suppressing devices to hunt alligators, game animals or game birds is unlawful. The department has determined that there is no resource- or enforcement-related reason to prohibit the use of firearm silencers for the take of alligators, game animals or game birds, and therefore proposes to eliminate the current prohibition. The department notes that if the proposed is adopted, it will not relieve any person of the obligation to otherwise comply with any applicable state, federal, or local law governing the possession or use of firearm silencers.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/fe ... ml#item_02

[UpTheIrons]

Oops - forgot to add the comment/contact info:

Comments on the proposed rules may be submitted by phone or e-mail to Robert Macdonald(512) 389-4775; e-mail: robert.macdonald@tpwd.state.tx.us, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744. Comments also may be submitted via the department’s website at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/fe ... c_comment/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

[PBratton]

Here's the info from the website:

The proposed amendment to §65.11, concerning Lawful Means, would allow the use of firearm silencers to hunt alligators, game animals and game birds. Under current rule, the use of sound-suppressing devices to hunt alligators, game animals or game birds is unlawful. The department has determined that there is no resource- or enforcement-related reason to prohibit the use of firearm silencers for the take of alligators, game animals or game birds, and therefore proposes to eliminate the current prohibition. The department notes that if the proposed is adopted, it will not relieve any person of the obligation to otherwise comply with any applicable state, federal, or local law governing the possession or use of firearm silencers. The proposed amendment also alters §65.11(3) to include additional counties to the applicability of the provisions governing the use of crossbows. This change is necessary to ensure consistency with the changes to §65.42 discussed elsewhere in this preamble.

So, send in those commnets!

[03Lightningrocks]

Thanks for the links. I submitted my comments.

[baldeagle]

Kudos to TP&W for starting this, but...why just for hunting? Need to broaden this a bit...

It's already legal for everything else; range, competition, taking of nuisance species. This is the last barrier to the free use of suppressors in any/every shooting activity.

[mr surveyor]

Kudos to TP&W for starting this, but...why just for hunting? Need to broaden this a bit...

.... This is the last barrier to the free use of suppressors in any/every shooting activity.

"Free use", as in "freedom" would be absolutely ZERO barriers concerning manufacture, purchase, ownership, transfer, possession of any silencer/suppressor. No different than any other accessory. That's the way it oughta be!


surv

[alvins]

Kudos to TP&W for starting this, but...why just for hunting? Need to broaden this a bit...

.... This is the last barrier to the free use of suppressors in any/every shooting activity.

"Free use", as in "freedom" would be absolutely ZERO barriers concerning manufacture, purchase, ownership, transfer, possession of any silencer/suppressor. No different than any other accessory. That's the way it oughta be!


surv

I agree but thats not what we are trying to fight for here.

[The Annoyed Man]

Kudos to TP&W for starting this, but...why just for hunting? Need to broaden this a bit...

.... This is the last barrier to the free use of suppressors in any/every shooting activity.

"Free use", as in "freedom" would be absolutely ZERO barriers concerning manufacture, purchase, ownership, transfer, possession of any silencer/suppressor. No different than any other accessory. That's the way it oughta be!


surv

I agree but thats not what we are trying to fight for here.

Neither is it TP&W's fight. Whatever accommodations are arrived at for hunting game in Texas, it will have zero effect on the BATF and federal law..........which is what we are really up against.

[matefrio]

I'm coordinating getting folks to the meetings. I don't frequent this board so PM me or keep an eye on the forum below.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_8_8/479567_.html&page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TPWD Public Hearing Calendar

All meetings are open to the public and begin at 7 p.m.

March 6

Beaumont, Holiday Inn & Suites, 3950 I-10 South.
Denison, Center for Workplace Learning (Room #111), 6101 Grayson Drive.
Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches Co. Courthouse Annex, 203 West Main.
San Antonio, Lions Field Adult Center, 2809 Broadway.
March 13

Dickinson, TPWD Dickinson Lab, 1502 FM 517 East (Pine Drive).
Fort Worth, Kennedale High School, Gymnasium, 901 Wildcat Way, Kennedale.
Marshall, Lions Community Center, 1201 Louisiana Street.
March 14

Port Isabel, Port Isabel Community Center, 213 Yturria.
March 20

Houston, Sheldon Lake State Park, Regional Headquarters Classroom, 14200 Garrett Road.
McKinney, Myers Park & Event Center, 7117 County Road 166.
New Boston, Bowie County Courthouse (2nd floor), 710 James Bowie Drive.

[matefrio]

Bump!

[matefrio]

First meetings are this Tuesday. Anyone going?

[Carry-a-Kimber]

I am going to try and make the meeting at Sheldon Reservoir.

[matefrio]

Passed today.

You can start hunting game animals on Sept. 1st with silencers. All other rules apply.

Overwhelming support for this was felt by the Texas Department of Wildlife. 3,500 emails in support and 350 opposing is what I'm hearing.

The Houston meeting I attended there were no public attendees opposing the issue. All were there in support of this.

[RPB]

Passed today.

You can start hunting game animals on Sept. 1st with silencers. All other rules apply.

Overwhelming support for this was felt by the Texas Department of Wildlife. 3,500 emails in support and 350 opposing is what I'm hearing.

The Houston meeting I attended there were no public attendees opposing the issue. All were there in support of this.

That's what still baffles me

So it will be lawful to hunt with a device it is prohibited/illegal to possess or transport, though you have a defense to prosecution of that illegal thing if registered NFA
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=53211&p=657561#p657561" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I mean .... they need to update the Penal Code and UN-prohibit inanimate object "tools"

[matefrio]

Passed today.

You can start hunting game animals on Sept. 1st with silencers. All other rules apply.

Overwhelming support for this was felt by the Texas Department of Wildlife. 3,500 emails in support and 350 opposing is what I'm hearing.

The Houston meeting I attended there were no public attendees opposing the issue. All were there in support of this.

That's what still baffles me

So it will be lawful to hunt with a device it is prohibited/illegal to possess or transport, though you have a defense to prosecution of that illegal thing if registered NFA
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=53211&p=657561#p657561" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I mean .... they need to update the Penal Code and UN-prohibit inanimate object "tools"

I'm already on that. For example :http://www.texasguntalk.com/forums/clas ... 013-a.html is my post on another forum.

Honestly too much apathy here to pursue further on this forum. If you'd like to keep up to date check arfcom or tgt.