Measure would allow hunters to use silencers

ATLANTA — Hunters would be allowed to use properly licensed silencers, under a measure the state senate passed this week.

The measure, sponsored by Sen. John Bulloch, R-Ochlocknee, passed by a 48-5 margin. The bill now goes to the state house.

“This is a carefully regulated bill that will allow hunters to continue to solve the problem of feral animal overpopulation while reducing the amount of noise associated with a firearm,” Bulloch said in a news release. “As Georgia continues to grow in population, the spaces between rural and suburban areas narrow. This bill will ultimately alleviate the number of complaints received by local law enforcement agencies.”

Under the proposal, silencers would be licensed following through a process that includes a six to eight month tax stamp approval process and background checks. Including taxes and purchase price, purchasing a firearm silencer typically costs more than $1,000, proponents say.

If signed into law, Georgia would join 15 other states that allow hunters to use silencers on hunting firearms.

Sens. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock; Ross Tolleson, R-Perry; David Shafer, R-Duluth; Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga; and Greg Goggans, R-Douglas, also sponsored the measure.