Republicans push to legalize silencers, sawed-off shotguns

PHOENIX (AP) - A Republican lawmaker who has been pushing a series of guns rights bills pulled out a new proposal Monday, tacking an amendment onto a minor bill that will legalize sawed-off shotguns, silencers and nunchucks in Arizona.

The state already has some of the strongest Second Amendment protections in the country, but the Republican-dominated Legislature is working to add more breathing room for gun owners.

The amendment by Sen. Kelli Ward, R-Lake Havasu City, adds to a bill designed to restore a persons gun rights if a judge sets aside a guilty conviction.

We have a right to keep and bear arms and really that right shouldnt be infringed, she said.

The amendment legalizes devices that muffle guns, rifles and shotguns with barrels less than 16 inches and nunchucks - weapons made from two sticks or rods connected by a rope or chain.

Ward said the idea for her amendment came from a pastor in the western Arizona community of Topock who wants to own nunchucks.

Critics said the amendment is overly broad and avoided scrutiny by never going through committee hearings.

Rep. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, said Wards amendment makes the bill less about helping people and more about legalizing weapons prohibited under Arizona law.

It is only going to further our reputation on The Daily Show here in Arizona that we couldnt find a way of banning driving while texting while at the same time making legal silencers, sawed-off shotguns and nunchucks.

Rep. Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said he sees the problem with sawed-off shotguns, but not silencers. This bill could be going too far, he said.

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Republicans push to legalize silencers, sawed-off shotguns