Politics & Government
Silencers for Florida Hunters a Possibility
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering a move that would make hunting with silencers legal.
Hunters in Florida may soon find it a lot easier to maintain stealth while stalking their prey.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission plans to consider a proposal during its Sept. 10 meeting that would make it legal for hunters to use silencers on rifles and guns for shooting such game as deer, turkey and quail, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Supporters of the measure say it will reduce recoil, protect hunters’ hearing and create fewer annoyances for those who live near hunting grounds.
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“It basically will take a high-powered rifle and make it sound like a .22,” Tony Young, spokesman for the wildlife commission, told the paper.
What do you think about this? Should Florida allow silencers for hunting? Share your thoughts by commenting below.
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Those opposed to the measure, however, say it could threaten public safety while making it easier to poach in the state.
Alex Humphries, a mother of two who lives in a rural area, told Bay News 9, she prefers being able to hear hunters’ shots.
“If we are just riding through on our four-wheelers through the woods, I would like to hear where a gun shot is coming from,” Humphries told the station.
Florida is currently one of eight states that ban the use of silencers for hunting, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
If wildlife commissioners approve the measure in September, a final draft of the proposal will be created for approval at a later meeting. Should the measure gain a green light, hunters would have to pass a federal background check and pay $200 to be able to use the devices to muffle their shots, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
The commission’s meeting is slated to take place Sept. 10-11 in the Kissimmee area. The topic is scheduled to come up during the Sept. 10 portion of the two-day meeting, according to the commission’s agenda. Residents are allowed to speak during the meeting.
Photo Credit: Hunters would be able to use silencers during turkey season if a measure to allow the devices meets state approval. Patch File Photo
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