On June 9, New Hampshire became the 40th state to pass legislation to allow hunting with firearms suppressors with the adoption of House Bill 500, the Hunter’s Hearing Protection Act. The bill was sponsored by New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Representative John Burt and championed by many other bipartisan Caucus members in both chambers.
New Hampshire Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair and National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council Member Representative Jeff Goley noted the importance of HB 500, “After many years of hard work, I am thankful that the Hunter’s Hearing Protection Act has finally been signed into law. HB 500 will provide sportsmen and women with the ability to use hearing protection technology while afield and will prevent hearing damage for thousands of hunters.”
Firearm suppressors are often misrepresented in popular culture. In reality, they are an innovative alternative to traditional hearing protection that allows hunters to maintain their situational awareness while afield.
“I’d like to thank the American Suppressor Association for their tireless work on this bill,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Northeastern States Director, Brent Miller. “Their dedication to ensuring that hunters in the Granite State are afforded the opportunity to protect their hearing yielded tremendous results, and their support of the New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus is greatly appreciated.”
CSF further wishes to thank Governor Hassan, Rep.Goley, Representative John Burt, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Congressman Frank Guinta and New Hampshire based Sig Sauer for their assistance and support throughout the process.
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?
