by John Boch
Clinton, IL – The big “Suppressor Shoot” at the DeWitt County Sportsman’s Club near Clinton, IL was a big success Saturday morning, October 17th, as scores of shooters turned out to learn more first-hand about firearm suppressors and to support gun rights and shooting sports while taking part in a fundraising “suppressor” shoot.
Guns Save Life and the DeWitt County Sportsman’s Club sponsored the event, open to the public and media. The event was made possible thanks to the American Suppressor Association and Silencerco, along with our close friend Todd Vandermyde of the Firearms Technical Group (FTG) in Yorkville, IL. FTG brought down the cans, which were donated by Silencerco, to show everyday Illinoisans the facts about these “mufflers for guns” and to dispel rumors perpetuated by some.
Yes, suppressors are mufflers for guns. They don’t “silence” a gunshot. Just as we muffle our car’s engine exhaust to be a good neighbor to those nearby, these devices muffle the “exhaust”/explosion of gasses that occurs at the muzzle of a gun at the moment a shot is fired – to be a good neighbor to those around the shooter.
For hunting or training, suppressors would be invaluable to helping to teach those adversely sensitive to the “noise” involved with shooting.
The Firearms Technical Group brought these highly regulated devices down not only to educate everyday Illinoisans, but also as a fundraising shoot to benefit both Guns Save Life and the DeWitt County Sportsman’s Club range facility (which, by the way is accepting new members). All net proceeds will be split between the two groups, helping to further firearms rights and safe firearms use. A special thanks to GSL Defense Training team members who volunteered to come out to help and to I.S.C.A.P.E. instructor and DCSC director Todd Mendenhall for volunteering as well.
Suppressors and Illinois
Nearly forty states allow civilian ownership of suppressors and nearly as many allow their use while hunting. We, as Guns Save Life, are working in conjunction with the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action and others to get legislation passed allowing civilian ownership and use of suppressors in Illinois.
It’s been a long road in a state that’s generally not very firearm friendly. It was only in the last ten years that state, county and local law-enforcement were allowed to use suppressors in Illinois! Prior to that, it was against Illinois’ law for even the cops to possess and use these common sense devices! A small price to pay for the crime free world we have in Illinois, particularly in Chicago, right?
Do you want to see these devices civilian legal in Illinois? Lean on downstate Democrat Illinois Senators and pressure them to urge Illinois Senate President John Cullerton to allow a free and fair vote on the issue in the Illinois Senate. They must tell Cullerton to allow the suppressor bill out of committee onto the floor for a vote. If these supposedly pro-gun downstate Democrats won’t do that, then they aren’t as pro-gun as they like to hold themselves out to be at election time. Write letters to the editor of your local newspaper calling these allegedly “pro-gun” Democrat Senators out on their willingness to support gun control by voting for Cullerton as Illinois Senate president.
Feel free to reproduce these photos for pro-gun purposes. Please credit GunsSaveLife.com. Click on the image for the larger version. For the original, high-res version, email jboch@gunssavelife.com.
Ah, guns, cans and coffee. About to embark on a fun-filled morning of education and excitement! Two Sig Mosquitoes, a 1911 and a Springfield XD 9mm. Along with ammo. Lots of ammo, including subsonic offerings.
A brick on a stick… the 12 gauge can. If you think a suppressor is a silencer, then this one will quickly disabuse you of that notion. The suppressor is a muffler. In this case, in the 12 gauge offering, it’s only marginally effective. This one is akin to standing back thirty yards from a person shooting a shotgun, as opposed to being behind the trigger.
Younger and older alike LOVED the suppressed Ruger 10/22 rifle. When using subsonic ammunition (and Remington subsonics and Aguila “SSS” subsonics were both great, although Aguila’s are better because they were 100% reliable in the Sig Mosquitoes), it was akin to shooting an airsoft gun. Talk about ideal for teaching newbies or recoil/muzzle-blast sensitive shooters.
You still need ear muffs for shooting.
Young and old alike LOVED the .22 pistols with suppressors. There’s a little “crack” from the bullet going supersonic downrange, but the noise at the gun was muffled dramatically. With subsonic ammunition, it was extraordinarily pleasant to shoot without ear protection.
Even at 9am, there were lots of folks waiting their turn. We weren’t quite ready to start for another ten minutes or so.
Lots of folks wanted pictures and video.
The .300 Blackout subsonic was another one that was a complete joy to shoot.
Todd Vandermyde in his .300 Winchester Magnum. Without a suppressor, it’s a monster. With a muffler, it’s a tame kitty cat.
There’s a story about that piece of glass on that .308 AR-10 this high school freshman is firing.
Talking equipment and accessories.
After a couple of hours of fun and excitement.
Looks like fun. I would have loved to be there. The ad in “GunNews”, though, said the event was to be held this afternoon. I got there at 1 PM as advertised. There were 5 other cars of people showed up within the next 5 minutes. At least three of the car loads of people had driven over an hour to get there. All had gone by the ad in GunNews. Any chance of another session in the future?
Jerry,
Todd called this afternoon and intends to offer it again in the spring.
I apologize for the GunNews Advert. Because of a conflict, Todd had to move this to morning. We put it up on the website weeks ago, PLUS mentioned the morning time at our satellite meetings.
Check the website regularly for updates and the latest info.
John
I was at the Charlston meeting, and it was not mentioned there.
I wasn’t there either.
What a blast! You guys must’ve had fun!
KUDOES (sp?) to the photographer here (Mrs. Boch?). That one shot of the cartridge being ejected from the larger caliber pistol while showing the “flex” of the suppressor is the coolest thing I’ve seen lately.
Nice job, all!
That isn’t flex so much as it’s the barrel tilting down at the rear to chamber the next round. The slide is pretty much fully back which means the barrel is in it’s lowest position.
Still a really cool shot though!
sorry for the change up and mix up on the times. We will have another one in the spring when the weather is better.
Todd
I had a great time. Thanks to Todd, John and the others for putting this together.
Thanks, thanks, thanks.
Guns Save Life at the forefront of education and advocacy once more.
It’s refreshing to associate with people who do more than sit around on their computers and play keyboard warriors! Computer advocacy achieves little. Good job.
Sam