Could Firearms Suppressors Soon Be Deregulated?
Firearm suppressors are tightly regulated under Federal Law. The National Firearms Act of 1934 (also known as the NFA of 1934) changed how Americans could buy suppressors for their firearms. Initially, the act worked as a barrier to prevent everyday Americans from owning them by imposing a $200 tax on the sale of suppressors. It also discouraged people by requiring them to complete an application process, including submitting fingerprints and photographs. In 1934, $200 was a lot of money.
Today, tens of thousands of Americans submit applications to own suppressors every month. The tax burden is easier to overcome due to inflation. $200 isn’t worth the same as back then. Information about completing the application is easy to locate and the interest in suppressor ownership has skyrocketed.
Americans are enthusiastic about firearms and are interested in protecting their hearing. Suppressors are capable of reducing the noise from discharging a gun to a level that will not permanently damage hearing. Hunters are interested in reducing their noise signature to protect their hearing, but also to be less bothersome to residents in rural communities also express interest in owning them. Then there are people like me who love them because they are fun!
Whether for sport, hunting, or fun, the bottom line is that suppressors are more popular than ever and everyone who owns one knows that one mistake on the paperwork or how it is stored and handled, could cost a person their freedom.
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Legislative Efforts
Recent efforts in the U.S. have produced enough support in Congress for new legislation to be introduced. On Jan 9, 2017, Congressman Jeff Duncan from South Carolina introduced H.R.367, or the Hearing Protection Act. The bill would change how suppressors are regulated, treating them like a firearms purchase. This marks a significant shift in public perception. Unfortunately, this bill did not pass the House at the time.
Following the 2024 elections, the Hearing Protection Act has been reintroduced in the House and it has been introduced in the Senate. The links to each of those bills are below:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/404/text
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/401
There are additional efforts to change regulations. The SHUSH Act would eliminate the governmental red tape of the NFA process to create a way to purchase suppressors, like other accessories. I urge all readers to contact their Senator and Congressman to let them know you support deregulation.
Executive Efforts
According to an article by Hannah Rabinowitz, CNN, The Department of Justice is considering how it defends the restrictions on silencers. The article cites “President Donald Trump’s order to reconsider positions that could limit gun rights” and then goes on to describe how silencers (suppressors) function and their history. It goes on to state:
“The review is one of the efforts undertaken by DOJ since Trump ordered the federal government to re-evaluate its gun policies and tasked Attorney General Pam Bondi with re-evaluating all ongoing litigation that could restrict Americans’ gun rights.”
The Executive effort marks a shift in how violations of the NFA, particularly for suppressors, are handled by the DOJ. It indicates a change in viewpoint at the top levels of government about suppressors. This is a necessary step before changing the regulation of suppressors. If the DOJ is truly vacating silencer-related cases, the American public may soon see deregulation in the future. In my opinion, this change needs to occur.
Conclusion
Suppressors are not firearms. They are not capable of sending projectiles down range. They are simply gas-trapping muzzle devices that reduce the audio and visual signature of a firearm. That’s it. There’s no reason why the public should have to jump through a dozen hoops to own a piece of threaded metal that traps gases. That is plain stupid. Don’t you agree?
The only way to change the NFA is through Congressional Action. Americans need to voice their opinions to Congress on the matter. If enough of us speak up, we just might see deregulation during our lifetime. Don’t squander this opportunity to correct something that never should have happened. Contact your Congressman today.
Click on the following link to find your Representative and let them know what you think about suppressors:
https://www.congress.gov/members?q=%7B%22congress%22%3A119%7D
“Live Free, or Die Trying.”
As always, I hope you stay prepared. God Bless and thank you for reading.
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