Sellers prepare for gun silencers

Federal authorization required to purchase noise suppressor

Written by  Trace Christenson  The Enquirer

It will be several months before a Battle Creek gun shop owner said he will sell silencers, approved last week by Michigan's Attorney General.

"I don't have any suppressors in yet," said Joel Fulton, president of Southside Sportsman Club at 539 Capital Ave. S.W. "I placed an order last week and I have had several phone calls from customers."

Late last week Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, in a formal opinion, said Michigan law permits gun owners to obtain and use noise suppressors or silencers as long as they go through a federal permit process.

State law generally forbids sale or possession of the silencers but contains a specific exemption for those obtained with federal authorization, similar to permits required for automatic weapons.

Michigan becomes the 38th state to allow possession of gun silencers.

Fulton called the decision significant and delightful.

"It is no different than putting a muffler on a lawn mower," he said. "Once you shoot with the sound suppressed you won't go back. It is just so much better."

Fulton said the suppressors:

• Make shooting with friends more enjoyable because ear muffs won't be needed and with silencers people can talk to each other as they shoot which increases safety because of better communications among shooters.

• Allows shooting without disturbing neighbors. Hunters can sight their guns on land where they hunt without disturbing game.

• Will prevent ear damage if the gun owner is forced to fire in a room or other confined area.

Fulton said he believes criminals using silencers in movies and on television have tainted the public against the devices.

"We panic in the United States because in Hollywood only the assassins have silencers.

"The image is that every bad guy has a silencer,"he said.

Battle Creek Deputy Police Chief James Saylor said Sunday he has not fully analyzed the new opinion or possible implications but said he doesn't expect widespread problems.

"If it's legal to own and is obtained with the proper permits and the owner passes the screening qualifications and they can afford to own them, then with ability comes responsible ownership," Saylor said.

Applicants must undergo background checks including criminal and mental histories and obtain certification from local law enforcement.

Fulton said the silencers will cost $600 to $1,000 depending on the weapon used and buyers should expect to wait several months.

He said he ordered just over a dozen and hopes to have some in stock in a month.

Trace Christenson can be reached at 966-0685 or at tchrist@battlecreekenquirer.com

Trace Christenson can be reached at 966-0685 or tchrist@battlecreekenquirer.com.