| WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, welcomes U.S. Rep. Ben Cline’s (R-Va.) H.R. 404, the Hearing Protection Act, which would remove firearm suppressors from the list of definitions under the 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA), eliminating onerous and duplicitous background checks. Instead, what is essentially a muffler for a gun would be regulated under the 1968 Gun Control Act (GCA) with the same background check that is required for a retail firearm purchase. The legislation would also amend the statutory suppressor definitions to eliminate ambiguity that might lead to the criminalization of lawful firearm accessories.
“Congressman Cline’s Hearing Protection Act will have the federal government recognize firearm suppressors for what they are. These are accessories to a firearm that make recreational shooting and hunting a safer experience,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “These safety devices reduce the report of a firearm to a level that won’t cause instant and permanent hearing damage. Despite Hollywood’s depictions, they do not mask the sound of a firearm. The focus should be on removing barriers to safe and responsible use of firearms and dedicating resources to ensuring firearms are safeguarded from those who should never possess them. Strict regulatory control of firearm accessories, and the parts of those accessories that have no bearing on the function of a firearm, is unnecessary and not the wisest use of federal resources. NSSF thanks Congressman Cline for his leadership for ensuring safe and responsible use of firearms and dedicating necessary resources where they are most needed.”
Firearm suppressors, legally but inaccurately referred to as “silencers,” are devices that reduce the report of a firearm from a level roughly equal to that of a jet taking off which causes instant and permanent hearing loss to one that is safe, but still equal to a jackhammer. That decibel level will not permanently damage hearing. Suppressors work similar to a car’s muffler, redirecting exhaust gases and was originally patented over 100 years ago by the same designer of car mufflers, Hiram Maxim.
Under current law, an individual purchasing a suppressor must locate a retailer that is regulated as a NFA Class III retailer, complete a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4 with the model and serial number of the suppressor, and obtain two passport photos and fingerprint cards from a local police department. The local chief law enforcement official must receive a completed copy of the application. Then the form, photographs and fingerprints must be sent to ATF along with a check to pay the $200 tax. The customer can obtain the suppressor from the NFA Class III retailer upon an additional background check through FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Congressman Cline’s legislation would eliminate those requirements and make suppressors available with the same paperwork, markings, record keeping and background check approval that is required for a firearm. It would also clarify the definition of suppressors, ensuring that components like mounts, baffles and end caps are not erroneously classified as standalone suppressors or “silencers.”
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About NSSF
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org. |
