G&A Editor Wins Guthrie Award for Suppressor Awareness

The late J. Guthrie was among the most talented contributors in the 56-year history of Guns & Ammo' s family of publications. His passion and knowledge of firearms, outstanding writing talent and casual southern drawl combined to make J. Guthrie one of the most prominent outdoor writers of all time.

On April 24, 2014, The American Suppressor Association (ASA) commemorated the inaugural J. Guthrie Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Suppressor Awareness. Awarded to Guns & Ammo Editor Eric R. Poole, the plaque features the February 2013 cover of G&A, which was the first issue where a suppressor appeared on the cover of the world's most widely read firearms magazine.

"Guthrie fueled my interest in owning and using suppressors when we first became friends a little more than 10 years ago. To receive this award is such a personal honor that it is difficult to describe," Poole said.

According to Knox Williams, Executive Director of the ASA, "J. Guthrie was the true embodiment of a great outdoor writer. He was well respected by his peers, and admired by his readers for his intellect, humor, and personality. We created the J. Guthrie Award to pay homage to his legacy." Williams went on to say, "The award is presented to a member of the media who we feel has done the most to promote suppressor awareness. This year, we chose to present the award to Eric Poole for his unwavering support of suppressor awareness and advocacy."

"The principal initiative of our association is to expand suppressor rights across the country. To do so, we are currently working alongside the NRA and the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation on suppressor ownership, hunting, and shall sign legislation in over a dozen states," said Williams.

Those efforts are producing noticeable results in state legislatures throughout the country.

According to Williams, "In 2014, seven pieces of pro-suppressor legislation have been signed into law. That includes shall sign requirements in Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Utah, and suppressor hunting in Georgia and Louisiana. In addition, Alabama also legalized suppressor hunting for all game animals through a regulatory change, which was passed unanimously by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Board. In total, eight states have amended their laws or regulations surrounding suppressors."

G&A is committed to our continued support of the ASA to improve suppressor legislation.

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"As its new editor, readers of the coming issues of Guns & Ammo magazine will discover more coverage than anywhere else highlighting advocacy for less-restrictive legislation, the features of new models as well as stories that convey the many benefits of suppressor use," Poole concluded.