Hunting with a suppressor?

[newracer]

In Colorado can a suppressor be used for small game hunting? I cannot find anything that says it cannot. I sent an email to the DOW but I don't think they know what they are talking about.


FAQ Question from Web
http://wildlife.state.co.us/apps/faq/default.asp

Division: Division of Wildlife
Subject: Hunting with suppressed rifles
Topic: Small Game Hunting
Subtopic: Other
Question or Message: Can a person hunt (specifically small game) with a suppressed rifle?


Hi,
Rabbits, squirrels, blue grouse and ptarmigan can be hunted with a pellet rifle of .177 cal or larger, in season with a small game license.

Have a nice day.

David Dokken

Colorado Division of Wildlife
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216


I don't think you understood the question. I was asking if small game can be hunted with a rimfire or centerfire rifle equipped with a noise suppressor (silencer)?



Hi,

No, this is illegal both state and Federal laws.

Have a nice day.

David Dokken

Colorado Division of Wildlife
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216



Could you point me in the direction of such laws? I could not find anything while I was looking. I am asking about a legally acquired suppressor.


No responce to the last question yet.

[HunterCO]

You can legally hunt any game in CO including big game with a suppressor. I checked with DOW about this a few years ago and they said it was perfectly legal.

MG's are a no no for big game but ok for small game. I might just have to take the M16 prairie dog hunting. :twisted:

[newracer]

That's what I thought because all the regs I can find say "any rifle" they just have caliber restrictions.

[HunterCO]

That's what I thought because all the regs I can find say "any rifle" they just have caliber restrictions.

The response you got is from an idiot that thinks suppressors are illegal. You should have seen what I went through when I called them. First thing I was told is that I could not because suppressors are illegal. After explaining to the first idiot that they are not illegal I got transfered around to about 5 different people. Finally they got me in touch with one of the law enforcement division guys that knew what the hell he was talking about. After he got done laughing his arse off because in 20 years nobody had ever asked that question. He said it was perfectly legal there is no regulation against it. The only stipulation he gave me was to make sure I had my paper work with me in case they stopped me.

[newracer]

The response you got is from an idiot that thinks suppressors are illegal.
That is exactly what I thought when I read his responce. I am sure he is now going around the office trying to figure it out. That's why he hasn't responded yet.

The reason I ask is I have quite a few small caliber rifles (.17 up to .223) that I could buy one supressor for. It would be cool to pluck off PDs with very little noise to disturb them. [roll]

[KarlPMann]

Well, I was told suppressors were OK for small game and varmints, but not for big game. Never read the law myself, that's just what they told me. That also coincides with the MG laws. Good for small game, but not big game. Oh, and I was also told MG's are for varmints only, so no small game except varmints. Dunno, just what they told me on the phone. I was only asking because the "yard tall sniper" wanted to use 'his' silencer on P-dogs. :roll: Karl.

[robsterclaw]

Hi,

No, this is illegal both state and Federal laws.

Have a nice day.

David Dokken

Colorado Division of Wildlife
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216


He's an idiot, but his band in the 80's kicked a ss! :twisted:

[newracer]

[roll]

That was his brother's band, Don.

[robsterclaw]

[roll]

That was his brother's band, Don. Ya I know, saw them once in concert, and they sucked. I was bummed because I really liked them. It wasn't even there fault. It was the sound peoples fault.

[2ndChildhood]

Incredible how much a bad soundman can ruin things.
The time it happened to me, I wanted to go over to the boards & forcibly take his place.

[newracer]

Here is the responce I received. :mrgreen:

Michael,

Your question about hunting with a suppressed rifle was referred to me for an answer whether hunting with a suppressed rifle was legal in Colorado, specifically small game). I am under the assumption that when talking about a “suppressed rifle” that we are talking about a firearm with some type of “silencer” on that firearm. For the purpose of hunting in Colorado a rifle is defined as a firearm fired from the shoulder, with a rifled bore, having a barrel length of sixteen (16) inches or more and a minimum overall length of twenty-six (26) inches and is defined in Wildlife Commission regulation. Depending on the small game species that one is hunting, there may be further restrictions on bullet weight or foot-pounds of energy produced. There are also further restrictions on what a legal rifle is to hunt big game. Therefore, the answer to your question is a “qualified yes”. There may be other state statutes or federal laws and regulations that prohibit it and there are certainly some conditions that have to be met to hunt with a “suppressed rifle” that I am aware of.

Any “suppressed rifle” must be registered in the National Firearms and Transfer Record as defined in the National Firearms Act and in federal law (27 CFR Part 479) and a permit issued to that person. A photocopy of approved permit should be carried by the owner when the weapon is being transported. Colorado statute defines a “suppressed rifle” as a dangerous weapon and it illegal to possess with a couple of exceptions such as having a permit (Title 18, Article 12, C.R.S.).

I would encourage you to contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the federal government and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation with the State of Colorado to see what permits, licenses and restriction there are for possessing and using a “suppressed rifle”.

Thanks!

Bob Thompson
Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement
Colorado Division of Wildlife
6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216
(303) 291-7342
bob.thompson@state.co.us

[MuzzleFlash]

Finally someone over at Fudd Central that has read the statutes. Looks like they're using the federal definition of a long gun rifle. Does that mean SBRs are a no-no as are pistols and MGs?

Sounds like it's OK to use a suppressed 10/22 on pesky wabbits and a suppressed .223 on p-dogs and coyotes. Sounds fun. Huh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh!

[HunterCO]

Finally someone that has read the statutes. Looks like suppressed SBRs are a no-no as are pistols and MGs.

So maybe I can use a suppressed 10/22 on pesky wabbits and a suppressed .223 on p-dogs and coyotes. Sounds fun, huh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh!

Wrong his response was a mixed bag of crap. It depends on what your hunting as to what is legal. Silencers are legal for any species period. On the other hand he mixed all the small game regs with the big game regs and made it very confusing. It is legal to hunt with an MG on small game fur bearers. It's also legal to hunt with a pistol including big game as long as the pistol in question meets the minimum requirements of energy. That Pretty much means 41 mag and up. Small game you can hunt with an air pistol it don't matter.

At least this guy had half a clue and realized suppressors are legal to hunt with.

[newracer]

I do not see it as a mixed bag of crap he simply defined what a rifle is. He did not state that only a rifle can be used. I did not ask about MGs or SBRs. By the definition an SBR would not be allowed. MGs are not specifically prohibited for small game, they are with big game. Pistols are OK for small and big game. There is a minimum size and energy for some small game specifically turkey.

Rifles and handguns used for the taking of turkeys shall use bullets of at least thirty-eight (38) grains in weight, with a manufacturer's energy rating of at least one-hundred ten (110) foot pounds at one-hundred (100) yards from the muzzle.

[7idl]

how about someone actually posting a few reg's to put things to rest.

when in court, they could care less about "he said/she said", what matters is the written law.

[HunterCO]

how about someone actually posting a few reg's to put things to rest.

when in court, they could care less about "he said/she said", what matters is the written law.

I would 7 but the problem is it would take ten pages. I have been hunting in CO going on 30 years I have read the regs over and over. I say to each their own everybody can believe as they wish. I am not going to argue about anymore I know what the laws are and what is legal thats all that matters to me.

[pirate]

[7idl]

I'm not doubting anyone and I'm not asking for you to post the whole damn reg's, just post a reg number or link and let it stand.

[HunterCO]

I'm not doubting anyone and I'm not asking for you to post the whole damn reg's, just post a reg number or link and let it stand.

I would be glad to post the regs stating that silencers are legal to hunt with but there is none. That is the problem if it does not state its illegal then that means it's legal.

I can't post a reg that does not exist even though it is legal since there is no regs prohibiting it.

I just used silencers as an example there are many more just like it that are legal yet no regs specifically stating so.

[?]

[newracer]

Regulations (http://wildlife.state.co.us/RulesRegs/Regulations/)

From Chapter 00 General Provisions Definitions

13. "Rifle" means a firearm fired from the shoulder, with a rifled bore, having a barrel length of sixteen (16) inches or more and a minimum overall length of twenty-six (26) inches.

From Chapter 02 Big Game Manner of Take

1. Rifles using center fire cartridges of .24 caliber or larger, having expanding bullets of at least seventy (70) grains in weight, except for elk and moose where the minimum bullet weight is eighty-five (85) grains, and with a rated impact energy one hundred (100) yards from the muzzle of at least one thousand (1000) foot pounds as determined by the manufacturer's rating providing that any semiautomatic rifle used shall not hold more than six (6) rounds in the magazine and chamber combined. A fully automatic rifle is prohibited.

6. Handguns, provided they have a minimum barrel length of four (4) inches and comply with the following criteria:
a. Use a .24 caliber or larger diameter expanding bullet.
b. Use only a cartridge or load with a rated impact energy of at least 550 ft. pounds at 50 yds. as determined by the manufacturer.


And this is what prompted me asking my question about a suppressor, I figured they were legal but wanted to make sure.

From Chapter 03 Small Game Manner of Take


1. Any rifle or handgun.

[7idl]

now that wasn't too hard was it? :mrgreen:


we just can't be spouting off about this and that, but if we have an actual law that anyone can access, we can put things to rest.

(I'm pretty sure we're not the only people monitoring this site)



how does that saying go?

... if the law doesnt specificly say it's not allowed, then it is allowed. (or something like that :oops:

[jimmym40a2]

I went by the DOW in devner and asked them and they said it is perfectly legal to hunt with a suppressor (big and small game)as long as you have your paper work with you and follow magazine restrictions as well, etc

[shrapmetal]

i sent off an email to them telling them about the yes and no answers we have recieved. and how we felt the no answers were from people that didnt understand NFA laws. i told them i would like to have an official answer in writting so that it could be taken into the field to avoid getting hassled by officers that did not know the laws that pertain to NFA weapons. i also asked if SBR's could be used in place of pistols.

[shrapmetal]

Shawn,



There is nothing illegal hunting with a silencer on a rifle as long as it is legally owned and all the appropriate documentations accompany the “silenced” rifle as required by law as you mention below. The rifle has to meet all the qualifications for whatever species is being hunted as outlined in Wildlife Commission Regulations such as caliber restrictions, barrel length, total rounds held in the rifle for semi-automatic rifles, etc. As you mentioned short barreled rifles (SBR) are not legal to hunt with in Colorado. SBR’s cannot be used as pistols to hunt as questioned below.



As mentioned any “silenced” rifle must be registered in the National Firearms and Transfer Record as defined in the National Firearms Act and in federal law (27 CFR Part 479) and a permit issued to that person. A photocopy of approved permit should be carried by the owner when the weapon is being transported. Colorado statute defines a “silenced” firearm as a dangerous weapon and it illegal to possess with a couple of exceptions such as having a permit (Title 18, Article 12, C.R.S.)



I’m under the assumption that you have contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the federal government and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation with the State of Colorado to see what permits, licenses and restriction there are for possessing and using a “silenced” rifle in Colorado.



Thanks!

Bob Thompson

Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement

Colorado Division of Wildlife

6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216

(303) 291-7342