Why Australian Marksmanship Services Supports the Conservation Hunting Bill 2025: Legalising Suppressors for Responsible Pest Control
At Australian Marksmanship Services, we fully support the Conservation Hunting Bill 2025, which promotes responsible firearm use in environmental and pest management efforts across New South Wales. One critical reform in the bill is the legalisation and regulated use of firearm suppressors — a practical step forward in making conservation shooting safer, more efficient, and more community-friendly.
Suppressors Are PPE — Not Hollywood "Silencers"
Let's clear up the common misconception: suppressors do not make firearms silent. That portrayal is a myth driven by movies and media, not real-world facts. In reality, suppressors reduce the sound pressure and muzzle blast of a shot to safer, more manageable levels — they do not eliminate it.
At Australian Marksmanship Services, we consider suppressors a form of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Like ear protection or safety glasses, they are essential for:
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Protecting shooters and bystanders from hearing damage
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Reducing stress on nearby residents, farmers, and livestock
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Minimising disturbance to the environment and wildlife during pest control operations
Suppressors Make Conservation More Effective
As professional shooters tasked with vertebrate pest control, we often operate in sensitive environments — near stock, property boundaries, or conservation zones. The loud crack of an unsuppressed firearm can scatter feral pests, making follow-up shots more difficult and less humane.
Suppressors help us work quietly and efficiently, increasing effectiveness while maintaining respect for neighboring properties and ecosystems.
In countries like New Zealand and the UK, suppressors are standard equipment — seen as a mark of responsible firearm use, not something to be feared.
Let's Debunk the Fear
Suppressors have been unfairly stigmatised due to their portrayal in crime fiction. In reality, they are legal and commonplace in many developed nations — where they are subject to strict regulation and responsible use. Their purpose is safety, not stealth.
The Conservation Hunting Bill 2025 reflects this understanding and helps modernise how we manage pest species, aligning NSW law with practical, proven international standards.
In Summary: A Practical, Ethical Solution
Authorising the use of suppressors for licensed conservation shooters isn't about making guns silent — it's about protecting hearing, reducing nuisance, and improving pest control outcomes.
Australian Marksmanship Services urges the public and legislators to support this important change. It's a smart, safe, and respectful step forward for pest control professionals, rural communities, and the environment alike.
How You Can Help Get This Bill Passed?
Visit The Links by clicking below and contact your local MP's and advise them you as a licenced and law abiding firearms owner fully support this bill.