ASA Announces Hearing Protection Act - Removal of Silencers from NFA

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DocUSMCRetired

New member
Just forwarding some information. This bill is being backed by a number of companies, including the NRA, and a number of members. We need to make some noise, spread the news, don't let this go silent. Don't let this disappear. Help make this happen!

ASA ANNOUNCES HEARING PROTECTION ACT: A BILL TO REMOVE SUPPRESSORS FROM THE NFA

Bill introduced to remove suppressors from NFA regulation

NRA Backs Hearing Protection Act

Rep. Matt Salmon (AZ-05). This historic piece of legislation will remove suppressors from the purview of the National Firearms Act (NFA), replacing the antiquated federal transfer process with an instantaneous NICS background check. The HPA also includes a provision to refund the $200 transfer tax to applicants who purchase a suppressor after October 22, 2015.

“The American Suppressor Association believes that citizens should not have to pay a tax to protect their hearing while exercising their Second Amendment rights,” said Knox Williams, President and Executive Director of the ASA. “The removal of suppressors from the National Firearms Act has been our ultimate goal since day one. For months, we have worked alongside Rep. Salmon’s office and the National Rifle Association to craft this legislation. Although we recognize that introducing this bill is the first step in what will be a lengthy process to change federal law, we look forward to working with Rep. Salmon and the NRA to advance and ultimately enact this common-sense legislation.”

Also known as silencers, suppressors are the hearing protection of the 21st century sportsman. Despite common Hollywood-based misconceptions, the laws of physics dictate that no suppressor will ever be able to render gunfire silent. Suppressors are simply mufflers for firearms, which function by trapping the expanding gasses at the muzzle, allowing them to slowly cool in a controlled environment. On average, suppressors reduce the noise of a gunshot by 20 – 35 decibels (dB), roughly the same sound reduction as earplugs or earmuffs. In addition to hearing protection, suppressors also mitigate noise complaints from those who live near shooting ranges and hunting lands.

Unfortunately, suppressors have been federally regulated since the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934. The NFA regulates the transfer and possession of certain types of firearms and devices, including suppressors. Currently, prospective buyers must send in a Form 4 application to the ATF, pay a $200 transfer tax per suppressor, undergo the same background check that is required to purchase a machine gun, and wait months for the ATF to process and approve the paperwork. In stark contrast, many countries in Europe place no regulations on their purchase, possession, or use.

Rep. Salmon’s Hearing Protection Act will fix the flawed federal treatment of suppressors, making it easier for hunters and sportsmen to protect their hearing in the 41 states where private suppressor ownership is currently legal, and the 37 states where hunting with a suppressor is legal. This legislation will remove suppressors from the onerous requirements of the NFA, and instead require purchasers to pass an instant NICS check, the same background check that is used during the sale of long guns. In doing so, law-abiding citizens will remain free to purchase suppressors, while prohibited persons will continue to be barred from purchasing or possessing these accessories.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SUPPRESSOR ASSOCIATION

The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is the unified voice of the suppressor industry. Our mission is to unite and advocate for the common interests of suppressor manufacturers, distribu*tors, dealers, and consumers. To accomplish our mission, our principal initiatives focus on state lobbying, federal lobbying, public education, and industry research.

The ASA is a sponsorship driven organization. Without the help of the following sponsors, this legislation would not have been possible: AcuSport, SilencerCo, Silencer Shop, Daniel Defense, Gemtech, Yankee Hill Machine Co., Thunder Beast Arms Corporation, Advanced Armament Corporation, Federal Premium Ammunition ®, Vortex Optics, Dakota Silencer, Freedom Munitions, and Liberty Suppressors.

For more information on how you can join the ASA, and help protect and expand your right to own and use suppressors, please visit American Suppressor Association.
 
One of those bills designed to make some Congressman's constituents feel good; they seldom get anywhere. And, of course, the antis will simply point out that their solution, confiscation of all guns, will offer the best hearing protection.

Jim
 
I appreciate the bill effort anyways. Congress is in a position where it may actually pass and it never gets done if we don't try. If people went after their Congress critters the way they did on the brink of the AWB, I think we'd have a chance m this represents an opportunity to slowly gain some of the rights back that we've lost and I think we need to see more movement like it. Antis will say what they're going to say regardless.
 
Pro's and cons:

The NICS requirement is toadying to the antigunners and seems to open a new way for them to cleanse the sales process where it won't make any difference. What will be next, requiring a NICS check on uppers, bolts, barrels? I don't see that happening so much as that would be opposed wholeheartedly by the retailers and internet buyers.

On the other hand, being able to buy silencers off the shelf with only a momentary delay (as most of my handgun purchases have been) is a lot better than the stupidly restrictive process we have now.

It opens up those who would vote against it - if it makes it out of committee - for examination in their district. "Hearing safe" plays well vs "all the criminals using silencers." There are none, and the state wildlife code enforcers would quietly point out nobody is poaching animals with silencers anyway. It puts the anti's into another corner with unrealistic statements. Their supporters will swallow it wholesale anyway but the general public will hear another questionable declaration rather than some honest thinking about it.

It raises the issue to the DOD and their footdragging on issuing suppressors to every rifle armed user. Gunfire is the #1 cause of hearing loss in the military and a significant health care item post service. Explain to vets that you still oppose using suppressors and prefer their children and grandchildren have issues with it after they serve. Price a set of hearing aids lately? Not to forget - we've been issuing and using ear protection for over 40 years now, yet it's still NOT ENOUGH. We haven't fixed the source of the problem with millions of dollars of programs and cheap foam plugs. Hearing damage is still going on. You cannot count on the system to hand you a set of ear plugs just when you need them.

Well, the first attempt at CCW in FL back in the day had it's share of scoffers, the first try at National Reciprocity was a field day for the snarky. Yet what do we have now? Most states are shall issue, and the National Reciprocity considered repeatedly with an ever closer vote on passage.

This is just the beginning, no, don't hold your breath, just plan on eventually being able to face then choice of which one looks better on your range and hunting rifle. Over 37 states allow their use - that was another point in time where the pooh-poohers smirked about it happening. We've overcome the AWB and moved on. It can happen.

More a matter of when, not if. And if the NFA can be changed, it's no longer inviolate - which is exactly what it does to our 2A rights. It violates them, robustly and wrongly, and with no demonstrated reason for public safety.
 
I have and use suppressors. 5 currently and waiting on 2 more.

Im traveling this week and my "car gun" has a TiRant 9S on it as i drive.

In Colorado you have to do the "Insta-check" when you pick up a can from the dealer now. So this will not change that aspect for me. I always thought the Insta-check was a pointless waste of time and money for an item i just waited 6 months for, while BATFE processed the application to transfer.

I guess the logic is that they cant "background check" a trust. So when i pick it up...i need to be checked. How that relates to the other Trustholders that can then have that can is another story

It just points out how SILLY the system is.
 
you have to have NICS because a suppressor is still a firearm by federal law. Incremental change is the key.

This would also allow most of us to build a suppressor without red tape.
 
What's silly is a person like myself has submitted to numerous background checks, as the antis want.
Basically triple checked for the pistol on my person, the nics, the licenses to carry from two different states all in line with what they want, I've never bought without a background check.... But yet if I cross into the wrong state in the very country in which I'm a citizen of I can get into trouble. That is silliness. Or the same silliness if I buy a hunk of aluminum
 
I know more than one collector who has literally been checked hundredsof times, each and every purchase. The expenditure of thousands of dollars from the public treasury has resulted in exactly NO public benefit.
 
If this did somehow get through, would the purchase price come down due to increased volume? I know some things respond to economies of scale and others don't due to the cost of materials and machining.

I would start playing with flashlight and oil filter adapters one way or the other!
 
Here's a direct link to the bill on Popvox. You can use that site to register your support, and to send a message to your representatives.

Right now, it doesn't stand a chance. It might pass the House, but most swing votes in the Senate will get bogged down by FUD. The President, of course, will veto it.

That said, its existence presents an opportunity to educate legislators on the virtues of silencers. It's worth pointing out that numerous states recently legalized their use for hunting.
 
If this did somehow get through, would the purchase price come down due to increased volume?
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I doubt the current commercial designs will drop that much. What one might find is a plethora of cheaply made $50 suppressors as are common in many other countries.
This is being attacked from many angles. On important thing is to keep increasing the states that allow suppressors for hunting.
 
I had the opportunity to speak with a SilencerCo rep at one of their demo shoots about the cost issue. His take was that their prices would actually increase because they're currently working full production shifts and still can't keep up with demand, and de-regulating them would further increase demand. I'm sure we would see sub-$100 silencers that would satisfy the average light sport shooter/hunter who doesn't fire thousands of rounds, and the sudden increase of supply and alternatives would eventually either force a price drop by the big companies or alternative cheap lines like we're seeing with the "Sport" and "Oracle" AR models.

I'd also project some pretty good deals with firearms made with integral suppressors.
 
An automobile oil filter makes a great gun silencer and the simplistic threaded adapter to use it as such is regulated as a silencer. I don't think there would be a decrease in engineered silencer cost. If somebody wants a cheap silencer..you can't beat the cost of an oil filter.
 
Seeing as how the unscrupulous and the unwise are building silencers in their garage for $30 and making youtube videos blatantly breaking the law, this could, in theory, encourage those that want a silencer, but are unwilling to jump through the NFA loops, an easy, legal alternative.

Maybe, if it can be suggested that a NICS check is better than no check at all, it will have a chance.
 
...and de-regulating them would further increase demand
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Yes, but have you heard of the SR-Silent 9... If these are taken off NFA they become a mainstream product and there will be plenty of people interested in pumping them out.
 
Andy Blozinski said:
An automobile oil filter makes a great gun silencer and the simplistic threaded adapter to use it as such is regulated as a silencer. I don't think there would be a decrease in engineered silencer cost. If somebody wants a cheap silencer..you can't beat the cost of an oil filter.
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Doesn't do much for the sight picture, though. You need an optic with VERY tall legs ...

I've always thought a small engine muffler such as this type might be a decent suppressor:

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It is not going to happen, so relax. A Clinton Presidency - no way. I also don't have faith in most GOP likely candidates to pass a pro-active gun bill.

So have your fantasies. Sorry to say.
 
It is not going to happen, so relax. A Clinton Presidency - no way. I also don't have faith in most GOP likely candidates to pass a pro-active gun bill.
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Very good point: It will never happen.

The Republicans ran the white house and both houses of congress for years. They could have rolled back some gun control laws. Instead they did a net nothing for law abiding gunowners.
 
If somehow silencers actually were removed from the NFA list, I might actually consider getting one.
But, barring that, I probably won't go through all the red tape needed today. Besides, a 24 inch barrel .22 shooting standard velocity ammo for all practical purposes is a legal silencer.

As far as I know, it would be perfectly legal to make a pistol caliber rifle with a 36" barrel, shooting sub sonic .38 special or .45ACP ammo, a silencer would be superfluous.
Plus, that extra long barrel would be no more unwieldy than a normal rifle barrel with a can on the end of it.
 
It is not going to happen, so relax. A Clinton Presidency - no way. I also don't have faith in most GOP likely candidates to pass a pro-active gun bill.

So have your fantasies. Sorry to say.
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And...

The Republicans ran the white house and both houses of congress for years. They could have rolled back some gun control laws. Instead they did a net nothing for law abiding gunowners.
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Let's not delve into politics. Especially when it's incorrect. I tire of hearing attacks on Bush and Republicans. Bush gave us 1) the death and sunset of the AWB, and 2) the swing votes in the SCOTUS that saved the 2nd Amendment from certain death in Heller, which then led directly to MacDonald - two landmark pro-2A decisions made possibly ONLY by a few dangling chads (Remember, the NRA did not want Heller to go to the SCOTUS for fear of being dealt a deadly loss - that's how close it was). Had Gore been in office, we'd have a permanent AWB and an eviscerated 2A with a stacked liberal court. So when folks start going into politics, then others like me need to set the record straight. So let's just not go there.

But the point is this is why it is so darn important to VOTE. VOTE. VOTE. We are always so close to losing our rights it's genuinely scary.

As for the law, let's not have a defeatist attitude. This is actually something that can and should pass and open up cans ... there really is no valid argument against it.
 
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