Note: This article was originally posted on NRA Blog: https://bit.ly/2ljKYbU
USA -(Ammoland.com)- If you’re into firearms, you should be familiar with the Hearing Protection Act, maybe you already are, but if you’re not – we’re here to help. This proposed legislation would make it easier for gun owners to acquire suppressors by removing burdensome regulatory hurdles and eliminating the $200 tax stamp requirement.
The Hearing Protection Act is a major step in the right direction for sportsmen and firearms owners, making safer shooting more accessible. But for now, we need to understand the HPA and how we can support it in order to make it a reality.
The National Firearms Act of 1934
We need to first understand the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA). The NFA makes it mandatory to go through a three-step process in which the buyer completes a complicated application process and a $200 tax is imposed. Once the application is approved by ATF, the buyer may pick up their suppressor at their local dealer.
When Hiram Maxim patented his silencer there was a lack of knowledge of this new product, so it was lumped into the NFA with machine guns and other firearms used in organized crime.
Purchasing a suppressor has remained legal ever since 1934, but you had to pay dearly for it. When the NFA was passed, $200 could buy you a brand new Ford Model-T, so this exorbitant tax made it cost-prohibitive – exactly what the Federal government had intended.
Even though a $200 tax may be more manageable in 2017, it is an unnecessary expense, and the process of completing paperwork and waiting for the ATF to approve the transfer is tedious and time-consuming.
What Will the Hearing Protection Act Change?
In part, a general lack of knowledge of why suppressors are needed prompted the establishment of the National Firearm Act. The Hearing Protection Act would undo the restrictions on suppressors, treating them like other firearms.
The goal is to simply pull suppressors out of the same regulations as machine guns and grenades.
The HPA would remove the first two steps and make the Firearm Transaction Record, your typical Form 4473 background check, the only step needed to purchase a suppressor. Eliminating the long wait and the excessive tax.
Who Will the Hearing Protection Act Affect?
The HPA will impact the entire firearm industry. Passage of the bill opens up incredible new opportunities for firearm owners to easily acquire these devices for safer shooting, and gives manufacturers more incentive to produce and market suppressors.
Using a suppressor can help protect your hearing, the hearing of those around you and also reduce recoil.
Hearing loss is progressive — once you’ve lost your hearing, it’s gone. It is important that citizens understand how serious this safety issue is and how much it can affect your daily lives.
Chris Cox, Executive Director of NRA-ILA explained, current suppressor restrictions “don’t make any sense,” and that gun owners and sportsmen should be able to practice their sport with the tools necessary to do so safely. The HPA will make it easier for them to do that.
How Can You Help?
This is more than a firearm legislation — this is common sense safety legislation. If you are interested in helping make the Hearing Protection Act become law, encourage your friends and family to reach out to their local representatives, and let your support for the HPA be known.
Don’t succumb to the negativity that surrounds the bill from opponents, who despite the benefits are determined to resist its passing solely based on their political agendas. Don’t spread misinformation amongst friends and colleagues, and politely correct others who may have the facts wrong. Most importantly, remain a positive example of a Second Amendment advocate, and combat negativity and petulance with grace, intelligence and maturity.
Ready to act? Contact your representatives via the NRA-ILA website!
“The HPA would remove the first two steps and make the Firearm Transaction Record, your typical Form 4473 background check, the only step needed to purchase a suppressor. Eliminating the long wait and the excessive tax.”
This is a good first step but it doesn’t go far enough. A suppressor is NOT a firearm, and is actually useless without one. It should not be regulated at all. I support the HPA, even though it will do nothing for the people of my state (Commiefornia).
This proposed bill does not go far enough. A suppressor is not a firearm. Once removed from the NFA there should be no regulation.
Back in the late 60’s my high school had a rifle club in the basement. We shot 22 standard velocity, that were very loud with bare concrete walls, floor and ceiling. You could really tell the difference if some one slipped in a high velocity round. These devices are suppressors not silencers. There are concerns by some that suppressors will be used in crimes. These concerns are unfounded, however, as suppressors, which have been legal to own by law-abiding citizens since their inception in 1902, are very rarely used in crimes. In a study looking at the criminal use of… Read more »
It’s obvious that Mike has never owned a suppressor much less ever shot a can and is hung up on the literal “pfffft” sound effects as applied after the fact to the sound track in the mooovies. Mostly all nice and neat stereotypical. He agrees BUT…… And the uninformed like Mike state that “a silencer need not be on your gun when defending yourself you don’t need to do it in silence”. Oh, yes i definitely do. An ugly Glock 21 with Silencerco Osprey in 45 ACP at the bedside does fill all major defensive issues. So Mike can fire… Read more »
Sorry guys……. I’m all for gun rights I have a few. But giving these idiots that shoot up our malls etc.a QUIET way to do it makes no sense to me. Take this situation into account, you’re in a mall you’re packing your favorite 45 concealed. Your downstairs getting a cuppa coffee at your favorite kiosk. On the second floor of the mall someone is shooting up everything as they walk down the hall. If they have a silencer on their gun, you’re still in line ordering coffee because you can’t hear it. If you heard it you have a… Read more »
If I pay the $400.00 to over $1000.00 for a suppressor then go to shoot at my local range but someone else comes to shoot too but they don’t have a suppressor, then I need to protect my hearing from his gunfire? That could happen every time I go to the range so its a costly investment for hunting only??
Well, here in Texas, I’m blessed that Senators Cornyn and Cuz are on board where Senate support is crucial and critical for its eventual passage. After several persistent and insistant phone calls, since its initial introduction, my rep Culberson just last month saw the light and is now a sponsor,too. Especially when I told his legislative assistant over and over that I have $1430.00 tied up in a QD AAC 338 big Bertha lapua Titanium can since June of LAST YEAR and STILL waiting on the stamp. Plus a half a dozen other cans already in hand for mostly all… Read more »
One of my senators, Kaine (D), response to co-sponsoring the bill was typical anti-firearm stance he’s shown in the past. His response was “Opponents don’t want criminals to obtain silencers to endanger police officers”. He is ignoring that it is already illegal for criminals to have a firearms to begin with–let alone–a suppressor. Virginia’s other senator, Warner (D), didn’t even bother to respond. Write, call, email your senator and congressman in support of the “Hearing Protection Act”. In Europe it’s consider bad form to not use a suppressor at a range.