You now have one last opportunity to weigh in on the firearm suppressor debate by personally attending the next public meeting, where the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will vote on the department’s hunting regulation proposals. This meeting will be held on Thursday, March 29 at 9 a.m. in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Commission Hearing Room, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744. Please make plans to come and voice your support. Upon arrival, fill out a registration form indicating you would like to speak on Action Item number 6, the 2012–2013 Statewide Hunting Proclamation – Recommended Adoption of Proposed Changes. If you are unable to attend, you may still voice your opinion on the hunting regulation proposals electronically by clicking here (and scrolling down to “Lawful Means”). Comments will be accepted online until 5 PM on March 28. Suppressors are not “silencers,” as depicted in typical Hollywood action films. 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. Currently, Texas law permits the use of lawfully-possessed suppressors for all other shooting activities, including the taking of nuisance species.—courtesy National Rifle Association
