Texas – -(Ammoland.com)- Earlier this week, Rep. Charlie Geren (R-99) introduced ASA and NRA backed House Bill 1179, a pro-suppressor measure which would require Chief Law Enforcement Officers (CLEOs) in Texas to sign NFA applications within 15 days of receipt, unless the applicant is found to be a prohibited person.
Known as “Shall Sign” or “Shall Certify” legislation, this issue became a top priority for the American Suppressor Association following the Obama Administration’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Docket No. ATF 41P.
This is the executive action which seeks to extend the CLEO signoff requirement to every member of every NFA trust and legal entity.
When the National Firearms Act of 1934 was signed into law, computerized background checks did not exist. At that time, the CLEO signoff was the only means by which individuals applying for a transfer of an NFA item could be vetted. Since 1934, technology has come full circle, but the now antiquated CLEO signoff requirement has remained. Many CLEOs refuse to sign NFA applications, basing their refusal on perceived liability or on purely political reasons.
Shall Sign legislation fixes these issues, ensuring that law abiding citizens in the state receive their CLEO signature within a reasonable amount of time.
Shall Sign legislation is currently advancing in states across the country. On January 28 2015, the North Dakota Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 2274, and on February 4, the West Virginia Senate passed Senate Bill 284. If these bills become law, Texas, North Dakota, and West Virginia will join the ranks of Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah as the states with Shall Sign legislation on the books.
The American Suppressor Association will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that your suppressor rights are protected and expanded. We will keep you updated as pro-suppressor legislation advances.
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, distributors, dealers, and consumers. To accomplish our mission, our principal initiatives focus on state lobbying, federal lobbying, public education, and industry research.
ASA is a membership driven organization. We now offer a 1 year ASA Membership with an NFA Gun Trust for $100. For more information on how you can help protect and expand your right to own and use suppressors, please visit store.AmericanSuppressorAssociation.com.
