The measure would allow sportsmen to have better access to hearing protection equipment for recreational gun use.
Idaho Senator Mike Crapo along with 12 Senate colleagues, including Idaho Senator Jim Risch, today introduced the Hearing Protection Act (HPA) in the Senate. The HPA, S. 817, would reclassify suppressors to regulate them like a regular firearm. Co-sponsors include Senators John Cornyn (TX), Bill Cassidy (LA), John Boozman (AR), Mike Rounds (SD), Thom Tillis (NC), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), Deb Fischer (NE), Jerry Moran (KS), Dan Sullivan (AK), Joni Ernst (IA), and Jim Inhofe (OK).
On average, suppressors diminish the noise of a gunshot by 20-35 decibels, roughly the same sound reduction provided by earplugs or earmuffs. By further comparison, the most effective suppressors on the market can only reduce the peak sound level of a gunshot to around 110-120 decibels. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, that is as loud as a jackhammer (110 dB) or an ambulance siren (120 dB).
Currently regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA), suppressors are subject to additional regulatory burdens. The HPA would reclassify suppressors to regulate them like traditional firearms.
It would remove suppressors from regulation under the NFA, and replace the overly-burdensome federal transfer process with an instantaneous National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check, making the purchasing and transfer process for suppressors equal to that as for a rifle or shotgun. The HPA would not change any laws in states that already prevent suppressors, nor does it get rid of the requirement of a background check.
“The Hearing Protection Act is the right step toward rolling back overly-burdensome regulations on Idaho’s sportswomen and men,” said Senator Crapo. “This legislation would ensure individuals in Idaho can have adequate hearing protection needed while hunting and participating in other recreational shooting sports.”
“This bill eliminates one more burdensome government regulation imposed on our sportsmen and women,” said Senator Risch. “I urge its passage so that law-abiding gun owners can protect their hearing while enjoying a pastime shared by thousands in Idaho.”
“Guns with suppressors are still very loud, just less likely to cause permanent ear damage,” said Senator Cassidy. “Anyone who thinks suppressors are movie ‘silencers’ clearly has never shot with one. This legislation is for sportsman and recreational shooters, not John Wick.”
“Hunters and recreational shooting enthusiasts are some of the most responsible gun owners in the country, so when they support a measure to better protect their health and hearing we should take notice,” said Senator Boozman. “The Hearing Protection Act is about helping these sportsmen and women continue to enjoy their hobby in a safe manner while still maintaining necessary regulatory precautions.”
“Our commonsense legislation would help protect hearing by eliminating red tape for those seeking to own a firearm suppressor,” said Senator Rounds. “Suppressors have nothing to do with whether guns are ‘silent’ or ‘dangerous’ – they are simply a tool to help protect the hearing of sportsmen.”
“It just makes sense to ease federal regulation of suppressors, which are already legal in most of states,” said Senator Hyde-Smith. “Some of the most liberal European nations require their use to reduce hearing-related injuries. This bill would make it easier to offer the same protection to law-abiding American sportsmen.”
Editors Note: U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) is an original cosponsor of the Hearing Protection Act (S.817). The use of suppressors can help preserve the hearing of sportsmen and their hunting dogs.
“Many hunters and sportsmen in Nebraska use equipment to protect their hearing when they are participating in outdoor recreation activities and living the good life,” said Senator Fischer. “The bill we are introducing today would improve access to suppressors for recreationists by addressing regulatory burdens that make this equipment difficult to obtain.”
“Hunters and sport shooters in Oklahoma and around the country endure hearing loss and damage because misguided federal laws restricts access to suppressors unnecessarily,” said Senator Inhofe. “By implementing this common-sense reform to the National Firearms Act, we can make it easier for responsible, law-abiding gun owners to purchase and use suppressors to protect their hearing, whether at the range or in the field.”
“This firearms safety legislation will enable gun owners to have better access to hearing protection accessories and improve safety for the shooting sports,” said Lawrence Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry trade association. “These accessories have been unfortunately stigmatized and wrapped up by duplicitous background checks, extensive wait times and burdensome paperwork that doesn’t contribute to public safety. NSSF is appreciative of Sen. Crapo’s leadership on effective firearms safety that respects the rights of lawful American gun owners, hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts.”
S. 817 is supported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the American Suppressor Association, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucus, Gun Owners of America, and the National Rifle Association. The measure will now go to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.
Dems should consider all the poor hunting dogs whose ears would be protected by allowing hunters to more easily obtain suppressors. I know my dog would appreciate my using a suppressor…
No one wants to admit they’ve failed or been duped but eventually we have to admit where the fault lies… and it isn’t with congress! We elected them so we’re responsible. We believed them every time they pointed a bloody (our blood) finger at the Democrat side of the room and told us ‘It’s their fault!!’ while we knew their only goal wasn’t to serve us but to be re-elected. Well, they have served us — in a way: roasted, basted and sliced while they live in luxury off of us. Next year we get another chance to convince ourselves… Read more »
Why on earth would any of you think that our gov. (either party) would give up the $200 tax per silencer revenue? It will never happen and may actually go up in fact. Wake up America? Greed and money. Roots of all evil. I’ll not so happily pay the ATF tax, but please don’t take away my ability to buy one. All my current ones just got thrown into the trash so they can’t come get them. Search the house if you have a warrant. You won’t find any. Peace….and quiet be with us.
ROFL! Democrats? Republicans? How about both of them? None of them should be in there. It used to be that many of them on both sides were right in the middle with a little lean to the left or to the right depending upon their party. Now they are as about far left and right that they can get. We need to start over and whomever does get into office needs to have a real education. Most of the fools in office now don.t have a clue and most of their actions suggest that whatever credentials that they may have… Read more »
I thought the same thing while reading the article, why didn’t the GOP pass this when they had the power to do so. These nutless wonders are just trying to look good and get reelected.They could give a hoot less about our hearing or what is right.
You had an opportunity to pass this according to your promises within the first 2 years of the Trump administration, but you didn’t. Now it is just a token action taken to say that you support the people who voted you in to office. It will never get past the house and you know it. Why did you not do this earlier?
The idiots who oppose this are brainwashed by the Hollywood set. Too many movies with assassins using suppressed weapons taking one silent shot and making one kill, never missing. It’s as laughable as the old westerns with the six shooters that fired 100 times before reloading. Get rid of the entire 1934 GCA completely.
This is a good bill. Who do we need to contact on this? I remember reading a article in a gin magazine that said when the 1934 gun control act was being written up someone from fish & game told one of the senators to add sound suppressor to the bill as this would stop all poaching(say, isn’t poaching illegal all ready?) So that’s how it got added to the 1934 gun control act
To little to late as congress is in the hands of Nancy. This is all for show in the senate now. They could have passed it last year when congress already passed this plus national reciprocity, but no way would Mich allow this come to the floor for a vote. In other words the senate killed it last year, now they want to look like heroes. Just another round of bait and switch in D.C.
Thanks for waiting until democrats control the House before you finally got around to introducing this Bill. You RINO clowns are no better than the rest of the miserable politicians. You and your democrat pals are the reason we need term limits for all of you.