On January 7, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed HB 500 (184-124), which will now move on to the Senate. Sponsored by New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus member Representative John Burt, the bill would allow sportsmen and women in the Granite State to use suppressors while hunting. While suppressors are already legal to own in New Hampshire, their use in the field is currently restricted.
Firearm suppressors are often misrepresented in popular culture. In reality, it is an innovative technology that protects the hearing of recreational shooters, hunters and their dogs, reduces noise pollution, and increases accuracy. Currently, 37 states nationwide allow for the use of suppressors while afield. New Hampshire is one of only four states that allows their citizens to own suppressors but not use them afield.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
