Senate Bill 295: History and Why do we need it?

In the mid 1900’s, Hollywood created a theatric picture that painted Sound Suppressors as Silencers. During that time, across the nation, Governments moved to outlaw them based on the perception created by Hollywood. As Facts began to catch up with Fiction in the 1990’s, Montana passed legislation allowing Montana Gun Owners to own and possess suppressors once again.  The issue this bill is trying to fix is that in the 1990’s they forgot to amend the section of code in regards to hunting with these suppressors although they are legal for everyday shooting.  

One important item to point out is that these devices only suppress the muzzle blast of a firearm lowering the decibel count by about a third of the sound that normally exists as well as reducing the recoil for the shooter.  This has made them very popular for the female shooter.  Also, it is important to point out that as the bullet breaks the sound barrier, there will still be the sonic crack that we are all used to hearing.  This dispels a lot of the past rumors that said that poachers would be able to use these and the landowner would not hear them.  A legally owned suppressor has never been used in a convicted poaching case.

Regulations and Process to get a Licensed Suppressor:  This will exhibit how hard they are to get.

-Each licensed suppressor is matched to one specific gun and one specific person.  It is a violation of the licensee to allow anyone else to have the suppressor in their possession and they must have the ATF stamp on their possession at all times while possessing the firearm.

-These Suppressors cost anywhere from $500-$1000 each. Once you begin the purchase process, you take the necessary paperwork from a local licensed dealer to the local law enforcement.  There you will be asked to present 2 forms of ID, Fingerprints will be taken, and a $200 check will be made out to the ATF.  Once the local law enforcement checks off on it, the paperwork is then sent off to the ATF where further background checks are done.  This approval process will typically take up to 6-9 months.  

Once this approval is done, you will then be allowed to go to the local licensed dealer and pick up the matched suppressor with all necessary licenses, permits, and paperwork.

In statute 45-8-336, illegal use of a suppressor is not changed and anyone caught violating Montana law with illegal use of a suppressor is subject to the following:

-Not less than 5 years and more that 30 year sentence

-or by fine of not less than $1000 or more than $20,000

-or they can have both the jail time as well as the fines levied

Using a suppressor will lower the decibel level of a 22 from 165 decibels to 115-125.  It is important to point out that hearing loss starts at 85 decibels.  

I also want to point out that use of suppressors to shoot unregulated species such as coyotes, gophers, etc. is already allowed under Montana State law.  

It is also important to point out that 34 states also approve of this.  

— Senator Mark Blasdel, Somers