In Support of Suppressors: U.S. House and Senate Introduce NRA-Backed Hearing Protection Legislation

In what stands to be a huge win for hunters, two pieces of NRA-backed federal legislation have been introduced that will remove the $200 tax currently required before someone can purchase a suppressor and will simplify the overall process to qualify for a suppressor. As shared by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), the Hearing Protection Act (H.R. 404/S. 364) was recently reintroduced in the 119^thCongress by U.S. Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA-06) in the House and U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) in the Senate to make it much easier for hunters and all gun owners to protect their hearing when exercising their Second Amendment rights.

The Hearing Protection Act aims to remove suppressors from regulation under the National Firearms Act (NFA), replacing the current and onerous federal transfer process with a simple background check, similar to the process used when purchasing a firearm. And, as noted, the $200 tax stamp fee will be removed.

“Americans who enjoy hunting and target shooting should be able to do so safely and legally without facing burdensome government regulations,” shared Rep. Cline. “The Hearing Protection Act will reclassify suppressors, making it easier for law-abiding gun owners to protect their hearing while enjoying recreational activities. It’s time to ensure that our Second Amendment rights are upheld, allowing responsible citizens to enjoy their freedoms without unnecessary obstacles.”

Applauding the move on behalf of the NRA’s millions of members and gun owners nationwide, NRA-ILA Executive Director John Commerford said, “Gun owners around the world are using suppressors to reduce the impact of noise and hearing loss while using their firearms. Even in countries with the strictest firearms laws, suppressors are often unregulated products that anyone can buy over the counter. However, outdated federal law makes it difficult for Americans to access these useful safety devices.”

For more good news in promoting suppressors as a vital hearing protection tool, last week Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX-27) introduced the Silencers Helping Us Save Hearing Act (SHUSH, S. 345/H.R. 850). Also supported by the NRA, the SHUSH Act would eliminate the bureaucratic red tape of the NFA process and streamline the path to purchasing a suppressor as with any other firearm accessory.

Benefits to American Hunters and Shooters
Legislative help on this issue is warranted. As this NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum website (NRAHLF.org) noted last year the use of suppressors has numerous benefits for hunters and shooters of all types.

Although suppressors are legal to own and use in 42 states, according to the American Suppressor Association (ASA), between 70 to 80 percent of all hunters do not use hearing protection of any kind when afield. Considering that a single unsuppressed gunshot ranges from 140 to 185 decibels (dB), exposure to just one shot can cause permanent hearing damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control, any noises over 120 dB “can cause immediate harm to your ears.”

A quality suppressor can reduce that level of noise by trapping and dissipating blast pressure and gases at the muzzle. Suppressors reduce the noise of a gunshot by an average of 20 to35 dB—roughly the same amount as ear plugs or muffs—preserving the hearing of recreational shooters, hunters and hunting dogs.

As NRA-ILA shares, in addition to safeguarding our hearing, suppressors provide additional benefits:

• Hunter Safety: While many hunters do not wear hearing protection in the field, suppressors permit hunters to maintain full situational awareness while enjoying a safer hunting experience.
• Accuracy: Suppressors increase shooting accuracy by reducing felt recoil and shot “flinch.”
• Noise Complaints: Suppressors reduce noise complaints from neighbors, who are frequently used as an excuse to close hunting and shooting ranges.

Yet, suppressors, which are regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934, currently require a potential buyer to send the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms an application that includes fingerprints, passport photos and the $200 transfer tax. The local chief law enforcement officer has to be notified, too.

True, wait times for suppressor approval have decreased substantially. However, the complex application process and the tax stamp fee are likely preventing many hunters from purchasing suppressors. Hopefully, both Congress and President Donald Trump will embrace these important hearing safety bills.