PA Game Commission Clarification Letter on Hunting with a Suppressor

**JoshIronshaft** · February 6th, 2015, 09:37 AM

A friend of mine submitted a letter to the PAGC asking for clarification on the legality of hunting with a suppressor. I never questioned it but some do, so now we have it spelled out pretty clearly.

We wanted to share this letter so other PAFOA members can take it with them on their hunts and show it to anyone who wants to say different.

**ungawa** · February 6th, 2015, 12:04 PM

So what is "the required permit?"

Is that a $5 permit request people have discussed before for a specific "firearm?"

**normanvin** · February 6th, 2015, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by ungawa

So what is "the required permit?"

Is that a $5 permit request people have discussed before for a specific "firearm?"

Tax stamp?

**ungawa** · February 6th, 2015, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by normanvin

Tax stamp?

It could mean a number of things. It could mean a tax stamp (which is not a permit), a hunting license (which I don't think they would refer to as a permit), or it could be a permit to use a firearm that is not specifically authorized under the game law:

http://forum.pafoa.org/nfa-class-3-t...ml#post2160282

Based on the letter posted in the OP, I think nothing has been resolved.

**JoshIronshaft** · February 6th, 2015, 12:52 PM

The original question letter was sent to the PAGC asking "If the suppressor was legally possessed with the NFA paperwork would it be legal for hunting?", to paraphrase.

I agree, the wording is not ideal, but I will carry a copy and live with it.

I'm certainly not going to write my own letter and I don't even know if I would have sent a letter in the first place because of what happened with the SIG pistol brace, but my friend wanted to do this to have an answer.

**shademtarmory** · February 9th, 2015, 09:42 AM

Knowing that it was already legal to hunt with suppressors, I wouldn't have written a letter either. Why draw attention to a topic that's already been dealt with. Just as Josh said, look at what happened with the ATF and the Sig arm brace.

Keep in mind, section 2322 of the Game Code deals with devices used to kill or take (basically) big game. A silencer is something added onto the gun, just like a scope or sling or using a bench rest. Some interpret subsection (a)(6) to mean that you have to have a special permit for hunting with a silencer or that a silencer has to be expressly permitted in the law. If that's the case, then you would need a permit to be expressly permitted to use a sling, scope, etc.

PA Game Laws Sec. 2322. Prohibited devices and methods.
(a) General rule. - Except as otherwise provided in this title or commission regulation, no person shall hunt, kill or take or attempt, aid, abet, assist or conspire to hunt, kill or take any big game, except wild turkey, with any of the following devices or methods:
(1) Any device other than a center-fire or muzzle-loading firearm or bow and arrow.
(2) Any automatic or semiautomatic firearm, except that any semiautomatic firearm modified to permit one shell in the chamber and no more than four shells in a magazine may be used by a person who suffered an amputation or lost the total use of one or both hands.
(3) Any firearm propelling more than one projectile per discharge.
(4) Any projectile which is not all lead or which is not designed to expand on contact.
(5) When any big game is swimming.
(6) By any other method or device which is not specifically authorized or permitted by this title or commission regulation.

**Kramer** · February 9th, 2015, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by shademtarmory

Knowing that it was already legal to hunt with suppressors, I wouldn't have written a letter either. Why draw attention to a topic that's already been dealt with. Just as Josh said, look at what happened with the ATF and the Sig arm brace.

Yep the "Letter writers" are our worst enemy. How much more are we going to lose by their actions?