Noise pollution. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing! When it comes to firearms, it comes with the territory. Why the common man does not have the ability in Michigan to suppress the ear-damaging noise of guns is beyond me. But, if you attach a sound suppressor to your firearm in this state, you’d be guilty of a felony, unless you have a Title II firearms license for machine guns, sound suppressors, and destructive devices.
Recently, the State of Washington has allowed its citizens the option of using sound suppressors on their firearms, and believe it or not, even the state sheriffs and police chiefs supported the measure.
The bill’s sponsor, Representative Bryan Blake, a Democrat says “Hollywood movies have stigmatized the silencers. They show them as the bad guys’ guns.” But, if it were actually true, there’d be a push to overturn the legal use of sound suppressors in the 30+ states that currently allow them. But, the silence is deafening.
That’s not to say everyone likes the idea. “We are disappointed,” said Washington Ceasefire member Michael Martin. His group is working to decrease gun violence. I guess I just don’t see the connection, but then again, I’m probably not as much of a movie buff as Mr. Martin.
However, there is a connection to hearing loss when big bores go boom without adequate ear protection. It’s happened enough to me to know. And, if sound suppressors could save the hearing of just one individual, I’m all for it. (Sorry, gun grabbers, for stealing your rhetoric.)
Even in the 34 or so of states that permit sound suppressors, there’s a hefty price to pay beyond the cost of the hardware itself. In 1934 a tax of $200 was levied on the gun mufflers and the tax is still in place today. Extensive background checks are also mandated. And skirting the law by owning a sound suppressor, which is not properly registered and taxed, is a violation of federal tax code (tax evasion) a felony punishable by large fines and up to ten years in prison. That’s serious stuff, as anyone familiar with Al Capone’s demise will attest. Unless your name is Timothy Geithner, you’d better not try it.
Legitimate users for today’s sound suppressors include animal control officers, and contractors in municipalities, parks, and airports. It’s all about public relations. Although the majority of states consider target shooting a legitimate use ,Michigan does not.
As we continue to run out of land, neighbors get closer and closer. While Michigan law defines a safety zone as an area within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling, house, cabin, or any barn or other building used in a farm operation, hunting and shooting requires written permission of the owner or occupant of such safety zone. Not so with target shooting and the discharge of firearms.
There’s no way to be polite with the sound of gunfire when neighbors are within earshot distance. Public relations should not be the sole privilege of government entities, nor should hearing protection be limited to the select.
There simply is no legitimate reason why someone willing to pay the fee and be subjected to intense governmental scrutiny, shouldn’t have the right to a little less noise for himself and those around him.
