Wyoming: House Passes Hunting Improvement Bill Without Harmful Amendments Today

Two other pro-gun bills still need your help to pass

Thanks to passionate input from hunters and sportsmen, the Wyoming House of Representatives voted 44 to 14 in favor of a much-needed pro-hunting reform.  SF 132, as introduced by Senator Ogden Driskill (R-01), passed in the Senate and House Agriculture Committee by overwhelming margins. Earlier this week, Representative Albert Sommers (R-20) added a last-minute, crippling amendment to the pro-hunting bill.  Representative Sommers’ amendment to Senate File 132 would have maintained the state’s outdated ban on hunting with suppressors for all game except varmints.  Before final passage of SF 132 on its third reading today, House Speaker Thomas Lubnau (R-31) offered an amendment that erased the restrictions offered by Sommers’ amendment and returned SF 132 to its original form.  This hunting reform legislation will soon go to Governor Matt Mead (R), so please contact the Governor and urge him to sign SF 132 into law.

Currently, more than half of the states across the country allow hunters to use suppressors.  Recently Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas adopted new rules allowing for use of suppressors when hunting game.  It’s time that hunters in Wyoming are able to enjoy the same opportunities available to sportsmen in more than half of the country.  For more information on firearms and suppressors, click here.

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.

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).  Also, purchasers must 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.

Thanks to all state Representatives who voted for this much-needed pro-gun reform and to NRA members who contacted their legislators.  Special appreciation should be extended to the bill sponsor Senator Ogden Driskill and House Speaker Thomas Lubnau for offering the amendment to restore this bill.

Please encourage Governor Mead to sign Senate File 132 into law.  You can call him at (307) 777-7434 or send him an e-mail by clicking here.

Additionally, two other pro-gun bills need your help.  House Bill 103, introduced by state Representative Allen Jaggi (R-19), would strengthen the state’s authority over firearm laws while prohibiting counties from enacting their own ordinances in clear violation of the current state firearms preemption statute.  Also, House Bill 105, also introduced by Rep. Jaggi, would allow law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm in more locations.

HB 103 is currently awaiting a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee next week so please contact these committee members and urge their support for HB 103:

Senator John Schiffer – Chairman

Email:  John.Schiffer@wyoleg.gov

Senator Bruce Burns

Email:  Bruce.Burns@wyoleg.gov

Senator Leland Christensen

Email:  Leland.Christensen@wyoleg.gov

Senator Floyd Esquibel

Email:  Floyd.Esquibel@wyoleg.gov

Senator Larry Hicks

Email:  Larry.Hicks@wyoleg.gov

HB 105 had a hearing in the Senate Education Committee but no action was taken on this bill.  The following committee members need to hear from you and know that you support HB 105:

Senator Hank Coe

Email:  Hank.Coe@wyoleg.gov

Senator Jim Anderson

Email:  Jim.Anderson.SD02@wyoleg.gov

Senator Paul Barnard

Email:  Paul.Barnard@wyoleg.gov

Senator Bill Landen

Email:  Bill.Landen@wyoleg.gov

Senator Chris Rothfuss

Email:  Chris.Rothfuss@wyoleg.gov

Your NRA-ILA will continue to update you as more details become available.