Oklahoma Landowner’s Hunting Freedom Act Passes Senate Committee Today

NRA-backed Senate Bill 1743 passed in the state Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee today by a 10 to 1 vote.  Known as the “Landowner’s Hunting Freedom Act," SB 1743 is authored by state Senator Steve Russell (R-45) and would allow Oklahoma landowners and their guests to use lawfully-possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms for hunting.  This legislation will now be sent to the Senate floor for consideration, and could be voted on any time in the coming weeks.  Your NRA-ILA will continue to update you as this bill progresses through the legislative process.

In order to acquire a suppressor, a purchaser must submit the appropriate paperwork to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives where long wait times for approval are unfortunately common (four to six months), undergo a background check by the FBI, find a licensed dealer authorized to conduct the transaction and pay a one-time $200 tax for each device.

While suppressors do not eliminate the sound of a firearm, they do reduce the muzzle report in a manner similar to the way that a muffler reduces exhaust noise from a vehicle. The benefits associated with suppressor use include increased accuracy due to reduced recoil and muzzle blast, protection from hearing damage and reduced noise pollution.

Noise complaints are being used more frequently as an excuse to close shooting ranges, informal shooting areas, and hunting lands throughout the country. Increased use of suppressors will help to eliminate many of these complaints and protect hunting and shooting areas well into the future. For more information on firearms and suppressors, click here.

Senator Charles Wyrick (D-1) was the lone committee member voting against SB 1743.  The NRA thanks the following ten members of the state Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee that voted in favor of SB 1743:

Senator Eddie Fields (R-10), Chairman
Senator Ron Justice (R-23), Vice Chairman
Senator Mark Allen (R-4)
Senator Patrick Anderson (R-19)
Senator Don Barrington (R-31)
Senator Randy Bass (D-32)
Senator Jerry Ellis (D-5)
Senator Tom Ivester (D-26)
Senator Frank Simpson (R-14)
Senator Anthony Sykes (R-24)

Contact these Senators and thank them for their support using this contact information.