Switzerland: Use of Silencers in Recreational Hunting
Switzerland is debating the use of silencers in recreational hunting. Noise protection is at the forefront of the discussion.
Silencers are prohibited in Switzerland for recreational hunting.
This is governed by the Hunting Ordinance. Exceptional permits are available for special units of the army and police, for example. Cantons may grant exceptions, though within narrow limits. In addition, purchasing a silencer requires a special permit from the police, as silencers are classified as weapon accessories.
Hobby hunters have long been advocating for a relaxation of this regulation. The new Hunting Act, which was rejected by voters in 2020, would also have allowed for this.
Despite the federal ban, some cantons issue more permits for silencers than others. The cantons of Aargau and Zurich, for instance, are considered relatively lenient, as they interpret the exception rules provided for in federal law more broadly than others. Behind the scenes, however, discussions are ongoing with the Federal Office for the Environment as to whether these permits comply with the law.
The federal ban stems from original concerns about poaching. Furthermore, silencers could pose a danger to other people in the forest, as shots would no longer be audible. However, shots from hunting rifles remain audible even with a silencer — it is not like in the movies, where shots are only heard as a quiet “pop.”
Graubünden's hobby hunters called at their most recent delegates' assembly for the possibility of fitting a silencer to calibres of 10.2 mm and above for shooting at the range, for the main hunting season, and for the special hunt (autumn hunt).
A relaxation at the federal level is also likely to be expected soon.
The following aids and methods may not be used for the practice of hunting according to Art. 2 of the Federal Hunting Ordinance :
- a. Traps, except for live-capture box traps, provided these are checked daily;
- b. Snares, wire cables, nets, lime sticks, and hooks;
- c. for earth hunting: gassing and smoking out animal burrows, digging out badgers, the use of tongs and drills, firing drive shots, and simultaneously using more than one dog per burrow;
- d. live animals used as bait;
- e. electronic sound playback devices for luring animals, electric shock devices, artificial light sources, mirrors or other dazzling devices, as well as laser sighting devices, night-vision sighting devices, and device combinations with comparable functions;
- f. explosives, pyrotechnic articles, poison, narcotics, and poisoned or narcotic baits;
- g. crossbows, bows and arrows, slingshots, spears, lances, knives, air rifles, and air pistols;
- h. semi-automatic weapons with a magazine holding more than two cartridges, shotguns with a calibre of more than 18.2 mm (calibre 12), fully automatic weapons, and handguns;
- i. firearms: 1. whose barrel is shorter than 45 cm, 2. whose stock is foldable, telescopically extendable, or not firmly connected to the action, 3. whose barrel can be unscrewed, 4. which are equipped with an integrated or attachable suppressor;
- j. shooting from motorboats whose power exceeds 6 kW, except to prevent damage to deployed fishing gear during commercial fishing;
- k. shooting from moving motor vehicles, aerial cable cars, funicular railways, chairlifts and ski lifts, as well as railways and aircraft;
- l. for waterfowl hunting: lead shot.
In various European countries, suppressors are used in hunting. Several German and Austrian federal states, as well as France, permit the use of suppressors while hunting. In Great Britain, they are even required by law.
The main reason: noise protection for hunters and their dogs. In addition, a suppressor also reduces the recoil of a weapon, which promotes accuracy and thereby animal welfare.
