THE Premier, Barry O'Farrell, has ruled out allowing hunters to use silencers while shooting feral animals in national parks.

A leaked draft risk assessment report suggests using silencers would minimise the disturbance to other park users such as bushwalkers, picnickers and bird watchers.

Barry O'Farrell ... ruled out using silencers.

However, it would mean loosening the prohibition on their use in NSW, which is designed to prevent them falling into criminal hands.

On Tuesday morning, Mr O'Farrell ruled out the proposal. ''There will be no change to the regulation of silencers to allow for the operation of pest eradication measures in national parks,'' he said.