After having received several hearings by the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, House Bill 234, sponsored by state Representative Cheryl Grossman (R-23) still awaits passage by this committee. This important pro-hunting legislation would revise state law to allow a person to use a noise suppressor attached to a firearm while hunting game birds or wild quadrupeds in the Buckeye State.

Currently, more than half of the states across the country permit hunters to use suppressors while hunting. There are numerous benefits to hunting with suppressed firearms, including:

• Elimination of noise complaints frequently used as an excuse to close hunting lands throughout the country, resulting in the protection of hunting areas well into the future.
Reduction of recoil and muzzle rise resulting in increased accuracy of hunters. More accurate shooting in the field means fewer wounded and lost animals, a good thing for both hunters and wildlife.Reduction in muzzle report to hearing-safe levels, limiting the risk that the hunter or anyone with the hunter will suffer permanent hearing loss if they fail to use hearing protection.

Recently, Arizona, Oklahoma, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas adopted new rules allowing for the use of suppressors while hunting. It’s time that hunters in Ohio are able to enjoy the same opportunities available to sportsmen in more than half of the country. Please contact members of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee to express your support for HB 234. For more information on firearms and suppressors, click here.

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