Posted: 5/10/2008 11:36:12 AM EDT
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Is it legal in Virginia and if so where is this written? Thanks, Spence |
well, you can only use shotguns in the eastern part of the state so i think unless you're named anton chigur, you're sol!  omg! tried to do a google search and found this: DU here is a pdf of the hunting regs for va. pages 22 on seem to be relevant. i could find nothing saying suppressors are illegal. |
What about using a handgun? I know in several "shotgun hunting" states, handguns are allowed as well. If a caliber like .223 isn't disallowed, you could use an AR15 pistol. Or something like a T/C Contender with a can in an an appropriate caliber would be more than enough for for deer. Kind of like this (but needs a scope or taller sights) 
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It is legal in VA since it isn't written into the Code of VA that it is prohibited. Before I knew that, I wrote to the law-enforcement branch of the VDGIF asking whether or not it was legal. They sent a nice letter back stating it was not prohibited as long as the gun it's mounted on is legal (e.g. not a machine gun). I carry that letter with me when I hunt just in case the game warden doesn't know the law. Hunting with a suppressor is legal in WV and PA too. |
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You may not hunt with machine guns in VA. VDGIF General Hunting Regulations Hunt wild birds and wild animals with fully automatic firearms, (i.e. machine guns). I didn't see anything prohibiting the use of suppressors while hunting. Again, the firearm to which it is attached would need to be legal for hunting (state and local regulations, i.e. shotgun only counties, etc). |
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Yes, I know that owning a machine gun isn't illegal - I have several. I should have clarified it to say that as long as the suppressor is mounted on a firearm that is legal to use for hunting, then it is legal to use. FWIW this also means that you shouldn't be hunting deer with a suppressed .22LR, since .22LR isn't legal for hunting deer in VA. If you're hunting squirrel, then have at it. |