Day 1 NRA Board Committee Meetings - Hi Power Rifle

Use of Suppressors in Competitions continues to be blocked

7While most of the Hi-Power Rifle committee meeting was taken up with the minutiae of rule changes, there was a substantive discussion on the use of suppressors in competition. The 3 board members on the committee are chair, Walt Walters (NC), John Sigler (DE), and Tom King (NY) all have served on the board for over 15 years.

The intent of adding suppressors to competitions was to recognize the use of suppressors in international competition (in the UK unsuppressed is considered rude), and the increased use of suppressors to the point that they will be common in F-class international competition within 2 years, to increase the popularity of suppressors, recognize the benefits of sound suppression on recoil management and increase participation in the sport.

The committee voted to continue the ban on the use of suppressors.

What is interesting and frustrating is the mindset behind the decision. Only 8 states ban ownership of suppressors (CA, DE, HI, IL, MA, NJ, NY, RI). Only 19.3% of NRA members live in these states.

Rather than recognize the rights of over 80% of NRA members in the 42 states that recognize our rights, the committee was more concerned that a competitor bringing a suppressor into a restricted state would reflect negatively on the NRA and the sport.

Rather than recognize that competitors are responsible adults and juniors and already deal with restrictions in ammunition, magazine capacity, types of firearm accessories (like bayonet lugs and flash hiders in NJ) and that clubs and match directors for other sports like USPSA and IDPA have been dealing with state specific restrictions for years without organizational issues, the committee wants to wait until everyone can own a suppressor before allowing them in matches.

Rather than use the addition of suppressors to matches as a way of educating the public on the benefit of suppressors (remember the Hearing Protection bill taking suppressors out of the NFA) to bring awareness and member and competitor pressure on legislatures to change these restrictive laws the committee continues a passive stance reminiscent of the NRA’s supportive position in the 1934 National Firearms Act.

It is well past time for the NRA to shift from a defensive mindset to an offensive mindset. We need new blood on the board that protects our members rights by advancing them, not just defending them.

I ask for your support when the ballot for the NRA Board election comes in the next issue of your NRA magazine. Please vote ONLY for Frank C Tait. Jeff Knox has a great article on bullet voting.

I am the only candidate on the ballot from petition of the members and committed to being a true independent director providing the accountability and transparency to NRA members.

I also ask that you share this message and ask your fellow NRA members to support my candidacy by only voting for board candidates that are committed to reforming the NRA.