An FN 509 Midsize in a Marc Jacobs purse / Photo by Jack Shepherd-FullMagNews

If a majority of Senate Republicans get their way, the gun devices commonly known as “silencers” would be available to the general public. 

U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and 26 Senate Republicans have introduced the “Hearing Protection Act,” which would repeal outdated federal regulations that all but outlaw the use of suppressors, by reclassifying them as regular firearms.

While suppressors are technically legal, a gun owner must register himself with the federal government and pay an exorbitant tax.  Such hurdles have been declared unconstitutional when applied to voting and other civil rights or privileges.

“(H)unters and sportsmen may use suppressors to protect their hearing during outdoor recreation activities. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Hearing Protection Act to improve access to suppressors for recreationists by cutting the red tape that makes this equipment difficult to obtain,” said US. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE,) was one of the sponsors of the bill.

“Suppressors are currently subject to additional regulatory burdens under the National Firearms Act (NFA). The HPA would remove suppressors from regulation under the NFA and replace the overly-burdensome federal transfer process with an instantaneous National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check,” Fischer’s office reports in a statement.

“This process would make the purchasing and transfer process for suppressors equal to that as for a rifle or shotgun. Also, the HPA would put more funding into state wildlife conservation agencies by taxing suppressors under the Pittman-Robertson Act instead of the NFA,” Fischer’s office adds.

Despite what is seen in movies and TV shows, suppressors are not “silencers.”

“On average, suppressors diminish the noise of a gunshot by 20-35 decibels, roughly the same sound reduction provided by earplugs or earmuffs. The most effective suppressors on the market can only reduce the peak sound level of a gunshot to around 110-120 decibels, which is roughly equivalent to a jackhammer,” Fischer notes.

The Hearing Protection Act is supported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the American Suppressor Association (ASA), Gun Owners of America (GOA), and the National Rifle Association (NRA).

In addition to Sens. Fischer and Crapo, the legislation was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Mike Lee (R-Utah).



Comments

  1. Where is the REST OF THE RINO’S? All the ones “Who” say they’re all in for he Constitution and Bill of Rights? For the right of the People to have all (ALL) of the freedoms of Rights in them? Where is the NRA, Who gives the Likes of John Cornyn a (A) rating? Or the States that allow some to have the “right” to even Carry a firearm, let alone have a Suppressor! I’m sorry, that is ONLY FOR THE DEMOCRATS (leaders)?!!!

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