On June 17, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, Vice-Chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, signed House Bill 5 into law (effective date of July 2), making Vermont the 40th state to allow the ownership and use of firearm suppressors.
Earlier this year, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Northeastern States Director Brent Miller testified alongside the American Suppressor Association in favor of suppressor legalization before the Vermont House Committee on Fish, Wildlife, and Water Resources.
Firearm suppressors are the modern day sportsmen’s hearing protection, reducing the sound signature of a gunshot while reducing recoil and improving accuracy. By decreasing the decibel levels of a gunshot, firearm suppressors reduce noise complaints and protect the hearing of recreational shooters.
Rep. Pat Brennan, Co-Chair of the Vermont Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, championed the effort, enlisting support from both chambers to help move the bill through the legislature. Expressing his enthusiasm for the bill, Rep. Brennan said, “I am extremely proud of the legalization of suppressors included in this year’s fish and wildlife omnibus bill House Bill 5. It has been a [multi-year] process, and this year, through a non-partisan effort, we were able to pull together on this very important issue.”
For more information on the Vermont Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus please click here.
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?
