WASHINGTON, DC – February 4th, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and 28 colleagues reintroduced the Hearing Protection Act (HPA) in the Senate.

“We are grateful to Senator Crapo for standing behind the millions of law-abiding gun owners with his reintroduction of the Hearing Protection Act,” said Knox Williams, president and executive director of the American Suppressor Association. “It’s absurd that our unrestrained federal bureaucracy requires Americans to jump through hoops to buy simple hearing protection devices. Momentum continues to grow for common sense reforms that would end the stranglehold of government on the rights of her people. We look forward to working with Senator Crapo and his colleagues to ensure our Second Amendment rights remain a priority.”

The Hearing Protection Act is cosponsored by Senators Marsha Blackburn, John Boozman, Ted Budd, Bill Cassidy, Kevin Cramer, Steve Daines, Deb Fischer, Lindsey Graham, John Hoeven, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Jim Justice, John Kennedy, James Lankford, Mike Lee, Cynthia Lummis, Roger Marshall, Jerry Moran, Markwayne Mullin, Pete Ricketts, Jim Risch, Mike Rounds, Rick Scott, Tim Sheehy, Thom Tillis, Roger Wicker, Tom Cotton, Josh Hawley, and Ron Johnson. Representative Ben Cline (R-Va.) introduced the companion bill in the House of Representatives.

The HPA would remove suppressors from the burdensome requirements of the National Firearms Act (NFA) and require purchasers to pass an instant NICS check, the same background check used during the sale of long guns. This change, by cutting through red tape, will make it much easier for law-abiding hunters and sportsmen to access these critical hearing safety devices. With the introduction of the HPA in both chambers, and the recent introduction of the bipartisan PARTS Act, momentum continues to build for common sense reform to firearm regulation.  

Background

Suppressors have been federally regulated since the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934.

In order to purchase a suppressor, prospective buyers must live in a state where suppressors are legal, send in an application including fingerprints and passport photos to the ATF, pay a $200 transfer tax, notify their local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO), and wait an indeterminate amount of time for ATF to process the application.

Using the same science as car mufflers, suppressors help reduce noise pollution, allowing hunters and recreational shooters to be good neighbors and good stewards of the environment.

Often referred to as “silencers,” suppressors are widely misunderstood by the public due to this misnomer. A suppressor only reduces the sound level of a gunshot to 110-120 decibels, about as loud as a jackhammer or ambulance siren.

Private suppressor ownership is currently legal in 42 states, and hunting with a suppressor is legal in 41 states.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the American Suppressor Association (ASA), issued a statement of support for the introduction of the Hearing Protection Act for the 119th Congress by U.S. Representative Ben Cline. 

“The Hearing Protection Act is the epitome of commonsense legislation. Law-abiding citizens should not have to pay a tax to protect their hearing when they exercise their Second Amendment rights,” said Knox Williams, President and Executive Director of ASA. “The American Suppressor Association applauds Rep. Cline for his leadership and willingness to fight for the rights of gunowners across the United States. We look forward to continuing productive conversations with members of Congress and the incoming administration to ensure the best policy outcomes for the suppressor industry and entire gun-owning community.”

The Hearing Protection Act would remove suppressors from the burdensome requirements of the National Firearms Act (NFA) and require purchasers to pass an instant NICS check, the same background check used during the sale of long guns. This change will make it is easier for law-abiding hunters and sportsmen to access these hearing safety devices. Congressman Cline’s bill is an enhanced version of the HPA introduced in every Congress for the last decade. The legislation includes a technical change intended to clarify which part of a suppressor must be marked with a serial number. 

Background

Suppressors have been federally regulated since the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934. 

In order to purchase a suppressor, prospective buyers must live in a state where suppressors are legal, send in an application including fingerprints and passport photos to the ATF, pay a $200 transfer tax, notify their local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO), and wait an indeterminate amount of time for ATF to process the application.

Using the same science as car mufflers, suppressors help reduce noise pollution, allowing hunters and recreational shooters to be good neighbors and good stewards of the environment. 

Often referred to as “silencers,” suppressors are widely misunderstood by the public due to this misnomer. A suppressor only reduces the sound level of a gunshot to 110-120 decibels, about as loud as a jackhammer or ambulance siren.

Private suppressor ownership is currently legal in 42 states, and hunting with a suppressor is legal in 41 states.

For more information on the Hearing Protection Act and the American Suppressor Association, visit americansuppressorassociation.com.

MONTPELIER, VT – On June 6th, 2024, Governor Phil Scott (R-VT) signed H. 878 into law, removing the two-year sunset provision from S. 281 that temporarily legalized the use of suppressors while hunting in Vermont. With the enactment of the new law hunters in The Green Mountain State no longer have to worry about losing their right to protect their hearing in the field. 

The ASA-backed pro-suppressor provision of the omnibus bill was championed by none other than Representative Pat Brennan (R-Chittenden-9-2). For over a decade, Rep. Brennan has been a stalwart supporter of suppressor rights. Not only did he lead the charge, alongside Rep. George Till (D-Chittenden-3), to allow hunters to use suppressors in 2022, he was instrumental in the legalization of suppressor ownership in Vermont in 2015. 

“Working with Representative Brennan over the past twelve years has truly been one of the greatest privileges and honors of my career,” said Knox Williams, Executive Director of the American Suppressor Association. “His tireless work and unwavering dedication is the reason why law-abiding citizens in The Green Mountain State no longer have to choose between jeopardizing their hearing and exercising their Second Amendment rights. What he was able to accomplish is nothing short of extraordinary. The suppressor community, as well as the people of Vermont, will forever be in his debt.”