Senate Bill 499, which was introduced by Sen. Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville), has just passed the Georgia Senate with a 30-20 vote.
The bill would repeal the prohibition on gun silencers in Georgia's state code.
Under current Georgia law, unlawful possession of silencers carries a five-year prison sentence. However, gun silencers regulated and registered by the federal government are already legal under national law.
Ginn argued hunters and recreational gun users have good reason to use gun silencers as a way to prevent hearing loss, saying ear protection makes hunting more difficult because it decreases his awareness of his surroundings.
However, opponents worried silencers could fall into the wrong hands and cause roadblocks for law enforcement investigating gun-related crimes, as gun usage becomes harder to detect and locate.
SB 499's companion bill in the House failed by just a few votes, with several Republican representatives excused from the vote, hours before the Senate passed this bill.
Ginn believes the Senate version still has a good chance of clearing the House.
