Suppressors Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

Hayden_SilencerCo

Hayden_SilencerCo

Private
Commercial Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 1, 2011
30
0
36
Salt Lake City, UT
www.silencerco.com
#1
We at Silencerco/SWR have hired Todd Rathner, an experienced lobbyist for gun and self defense laws, for the representation of manufacturers and owners alike in the legislation in favor of using suppressors to hunt in Oklahoma.

“I am extremely excited about representing this part of the shooting and hunting community and I think we will make great gains for freedom in this arena”, Rathner said. “This is a big step in the right direction for Oklahoma and we need people to contact their legislators in Oklahoma to support it”.

Make your voice heard. Tell your representative.
 
#6
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

I heard a NRA lawyer was there Monday as well helping the push. From experience I can say the game wardens will be completely against this. I don't know how much pull their association has. They believe the only reason a guy would hunt with a suppressor is for nefarious purposes, they're just uneducated on the subject.

Those of us in OK need to not sit around on this one, there is a lot of outside support and we need to get behind it.

Here is the bill

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB1743

Find your legislator and call him/her!

http://www.oklegislature.gov/FindMyLegislature.aspx

This should be moved to the hunting section so it gets more hunting exposure.

 
#7
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

http://www.nraila.org/legislation/s...reedom-act-passes-senate-committee-today.aspx

Here is a good article that the lawmakers need to read.

http://www.nraila.org/news-issues/articl...amp;st=&ps=

Here is my favorite quote of the article...

"Some will argue that the legalization of suppressor use while hunting will increase the incidents of poaching, but the experience of the many states that allow the practice clearly proves them wrong. Would these opponents mandate the use of the .338 Lapua with a muzzle brake in order for shots to be heard from the greatest possible distance? Is the diminutive .243 Win. Simply too quiet? As one suppressor advocate in Montana asked earlier this year during the legislative session, should all bow hunters be required to sound an air horn every time they release an arrow in order to alert any nearby wardens?"
 
#8
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

I talked to Ron Justice (on the senate committee) today and he told me he rather hear from Oklahomans than lobbyist from Virginia and Arizona. I'm glad the NRA is behind it, they just need to not be pushy.

The bill is authored by Steve Russell.
 
#12
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JCH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Called and left a message with someone in his office, they are in session at the moment. </div></div>

I just tried Steve Russell's office and got the same thing.

Watch out, Ron will talk your ear off! He's a good guy.

Loving the NF by the way, you need to come out to our range.
 
#14
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

I spoke to Steve Russell for about a hour last night, here is the skinny.

The NRA and the lobbyist need to back off a little. The NRA guy wanted to open up the language to include public lands that almost killed the bill in committee. This will not pass if public land is included.

As it stands right now this will pass the Senate. It then goes to a house committee. If it goes to Public Safety it's DOA. Sue Tibbs, chair of that committee ((405) 557-7379) will not hear it according to Russell, not hearing the bill kills it. We need it to go to wildlife where it belongs anyway and that would be Phil Richardson, (405) 557-7401.

Now you're asking why would this go to Public Safety and not Wildlife? If the House leadership doesn't want the bill to pass they'll send it to P.S. and kill it. We need to contact Floor Leader Dale Dewitt (405) 557-7332 and Speaker Kris Steele (405) 557-7345 and tell them to support this bill.

If the language gets opened in the house it will kill the bill. It must be left alone.

Leslie Osborn (405) 557-7333 is the House co-author we need to let her know we support this as well.

Russell feels pretty good about it's chances of passing, we need to say on it.

This bill goes into effect Nov. 1 if passed. Come on guys I want to hunt suppressed this year!

Please let me know if I can help with any contact info etc.
 
#17
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

Found the following info on title of the bill at this link in the Consideration by the Second House section. It seems like it is a parliamentary game they play with bills.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It is common practice for the title of the measure to be struck (crippled) in Senate committees, the House Committee on Appropriations and Budget, or on either floor of the house of origin so that the house of origin will maintain control or the measure will be guaranteed to go to conference. In other words, the opposite house will receive a “crippled bill” that cannot become law unless the title is restored. Restoration of the title is an amendment which will restore the original house’s control over the measure.</div></div>
 
#18
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

This will not be heard in the Senate until next week. After it passes the Senate they loose control of it, So no telling when it will be assigned to committee in the House.

We still have time to make calls.
 
#19
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 50calcruiser</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I heard a NRA lawyer was there Monday as well helping the push. From experience I can say the game wardens will be completely against this. I don't know how much pull their association has. They believe the only reason a guy would hunt with a suppressor is for nefarious purposes, they're just uneducated on the subject.

Those of us in OK need to not sit around on this one, there is a lot of outside support and we need to get behind it.

Here is the bill

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB1743

Find your legislator and call him/her!

http://www.oklegislature.gov/FindMyLegislature.aspx

This should be moved to the hunting section so it gets more hunting exposure.

</div></div>

I've spoken to some of the game wardens that I know and you would generally be correct. The primary reasoning most state is to be able to trace shots to a poacher.

I asked them how they planned on tracing shots to a poacher using a bow or crossbow and when we should expect archery season to be banned?

They all had that blank look for a moment and then it seemed to click somewhat. So we'll see. The state totally hosed the attempt last time around.
 
#20
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mavrick10_2000</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 50calcruiser</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I heard a NRA lawyer was there Monday as well helping the push. From experience I can say the game wardens will be completely against this. I don't know how much pull their association has. They believe the only reason a guy would hunt with a suppressor is for nefarious purposes, they're just uneducated on the subject.

Those of us in OK need to not sit around on this one, there is a lot of outside support and we need to get behind it.

Here is the bill

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB1743

Find your legislator and call him/her!

http://www.oklegislature.gov/FindMyLegislature.aspx

This should be moved to the hunting section so it gets more hunting exposure.

</div></div>

I've spoken to some of the game wardens that I know and you would generally be correct. The primary reasoning most state is to be able to trace shots to a poacher.

I asked them how they planned on tracing shots to a poacher using a bow or crossbow and when we should expect archery season to be banned?

They all had that blank look for a moment and then it seemed to click somewhat. So we'll see. The state totally hosed the attempt last time around. </div></div>

I can tell you from lots of experience talking with game wardens I would call friends that it didn't "click" for them. Most of them will fight this because they don't like change. Two years ago when Oklahoma went to electronic deer check-in the wardens flipped out, literally. They felt as though they had lost a large measure of "power". That season they threw the book at everyone for anything they could. And I have lots of accounts to back that up.

Funny thing is poachers are going to break the law no matter what. So they're argument is really mute. If a guy is going to shoot deer with a suppressor he is already doing it. He doesn't need a law telling him he can or can't. That's why they're called violators, they violate the law.
 
#21
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

I can not believe how lucky you guys are. I could not even get the time of day when I asked the NRA for advice back in 2010 about amending the law on silencer use in WA. Looks like the NRA has finally opened their eyes a bit.

Best of luck in Oklahoma, I am rooting for you.

Ranb
 
#22
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

With the exception of Steve Russell, Oklahoma politicians are good old boys who don't have a clue. Their work is sloppy and all the good things they try to do usually don't stand up to judicial scrutiny. We don't have the slick lawyers in the Oklahoma House and Senate like they do in bigger states. That's a good thing and a bad thing. I have a feeling this will go the way of the ban on Sharia law. I hope it doesn't, but just a prediction...

101
 
#23
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

When I lived in OK 1956-1998 it wasn't prohibited.
I used a suppressed 10-22 for small game on occasions and prairie dogs a lot.
When did the state decide to make suppressor use illegal?
My great-grandfather was a state rep from Oklahoma county 90 years ago.
 
#25
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

We held a suppressor shoot for members of the Senate to attend yesterday evening. I think it had a pretty good impact on the members that attended - today's vote went very well!

For the record, the Senators that voted against the Bill were:
-Ballenger (D)
-Wilson (D)
-Wyrick (D)

Next week we're going to host another silencer shoot for the members of the House.

It's very important for everyone to contact Representatives from the House and voice support.
 
#34
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

I spoke at length with Rep. Phil Richardson, Chairman of the Wildlife committee, this morning.
He is shaky on the bill. The main problem is the Game Wardens Association and the Department of Public Safety. To say they are vehemently against this would be an understatement. And while the ODWC may not be publicly against it, I can assure you they are as well.

The bill will be heard in committee Wednesday, April 4th at 9:00 a.m. Room 432A. The GWA will be there and possibly people from DPS. Why DPS has an issue with this, I don’t know. These are open to the public and usually in very small rooms. It wouldn’t take much to pack the room with pro suppressor constituents.

The title is on the bill, meaning if it passes the House with the exact language it was received with it’s a done deal.

I hope everyone is doing what they can. Again, here is how to find your rep.

http://www.oklegislature.gov/FindMyLegislature.aspx

Tell them to support this and not change the language or it won’t pass.
 
#35
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

Snooped around the ODWC this morning. They are going to be vocally against this and stand with the GWA. The only argument I got from anyone was "it's a safety concern." No one would go into detail regarding why it is a safety concern.

If you have the time it would be a good idea to go visit or call the committee members (especially if you live in their district) and ask them point blank whether they plan on supporting it or not. If not, ask them exactly why and go from there.
 
#36
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

It's VERY, VERY IMPORTANT that any citizens supporting the Bill reach out to the House committee members via e-mail or phone call to urge their support!

The Bill made it through the Senate, but now it's going to face some serious opposition from a couple of state agencies when it goes before the House Committee next week.

Here's a list of the Committee members. It's pretty easy to Google each and get his/her e-mail address and/or office phone number.

Chair -- Phil Richardson
Vice Chair -- Todd Russ
John Bennett
John Enns (came to the suppressor shoot)
Mike Jackson (came to the suppressor shoot)
Curtis McDaniel (came to the suppressor shoot)
Leslie Osborn -- author
Mike Sanders (came to the suppressor shoot)
Lisa Billy
Larry Glenn
Steve Kouplen
Tom Newell
R.C. Pruett
Jerry Shoemake
Dennis Casey
tommy Hardin
James Lockhart
Charles Ortega
Brian Renegar
Steve Vaughan (came to the shoot -- the one who can't vote for it on the floor but might in committee)
 
#38
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

I just sent an email to each member of the committee....please if you are an Oklahoman send an email. Even if it is short. Just encourage them to pass the bill.
 
#44
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

I don't know if that will kill it. I will talk to Jackson tonight and see what he has to say.

All I see that Phil did was up the fines??? Not seeing anything different on the disabled remote hunting.
 
#47
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

The suppressor shoot today went well - had a decent sized group of Oklahoma House Reps show up. Ashley Varner from the NRA has spoken with most of the committee members, and if the ones that have committed their support follow through, the bill should make it through committee and go to the house floor!
 
#49
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

Haven't heard anything on that but Jackson referenced that Richardson was going to do that when I was talking to him. Didn't seem to think it was a big deal. I don't see how that could make much of difference. I really think it's gonna happen. Thought about going to the meeting but Jackson seemed confident that we already had it in the bag as far as the committee is concerned. I sure hope so!!
 
#50
Re: Lobbying for Oklahoma Suppressor Bill

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 50calcruiser</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What about the amendment for the additional fine if using a suppressor in the commission of a wildlife violation? Any word on how it will fair in the Senate? </div></div>

The amendment had to be allowed on the House side, or there was a chance that Representative Richardson would not have allowed it to come up for a vote in his committee tomorrow (it's amazing how much power a committee chair has to kill a bill by simply not brining it up for vote in his/her committee, which will cause the bill to go dormant).

This means that once the bill makes it out of the House committee (hopefully) and passes a floor vote in the House (hopefully) that it'll have to go back to the Senate, where the bill sponsor (Sen. Russell) can call for a vote to have the amendment stripped or to have it stand with the bill.

It should not be a point of contention when it goes back over to the Senate, though.
 
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