The fight to shoot quietly has reached a crucial point. Increasing popularity and more legalizations has led to another attempt to remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA). The Hearing Protection Act will make suppressors easier to purchase and, therefore, firearms safer to operate regarding hearing and hearing loss.

Detailing The Bill

Rep. Jeff Duncans (R-South Carolina) and Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) reintroduced the Duncan-Carter Hearing Protection Act on Jan. 9, 2017. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) quickly reintroduced the bill to the Senate. Formally known as H.R. 367 in Congress and S. 59 in the Senate, its goal is to remove suppressors from the scope of the NFA and replace the outdated federal transfer process with an instantaneous National Instant Criminal Background Check (NCIS). The bill also includes a tax credit provision for the $200 transfer tax on any suppressor after Oct. 22, 2015.

This isn’t the first attempt to remove suppressors from the NFA. Rep. Matt Salmon (R-A) originally introduced the Hearing Protection Act of 2015 (H.R. 3799, S. 59). However, the introduced bill died out following his retirement.

The American Suppressor Association Gives Supporters a Voice

The American Suppressor Association (ASA) leads the charge for passing the Hearing Protection Act. On its website, a tab labeled “Support HPA” gives supporters an option to help the cause. On the page, an excerpt reads:

“As we fight for our right to shoot quietly, we need your help to make sure our voice is heard loud and clear on Capitol Hill. Please take the time to fill out the form below so that you can send an email to your Representatives and Senators to let them know that you support the Hearing Protection Act.”

For a bill that simply makes it easier to protect your hearing and that of other shooters and hunters, the Hearing Protection Act just makes sense. As the ASA says, contact your legislators today and help pass this bill.