By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Legislation which would “cut red tape for firearms businesses and ensure gun-owners can safely exercise their Second Amendment rights without fear of criminalization,” has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA),
Dubbed the Protecting Americans’ Right to Silence (PARTS) Act, the two-page bill would “amend the definitions of firearm silencer and firearm muffler in section 921 of title 18, United States Code, and for other purposes.”
Joining Sheehy and Cassidy are fellow Republicans Steve Daines (MT), Mike Lee (UT), Pete Ricketts (NE), Ted Budd (NC), Jim Justice (WV) and John Cornyn (TX).
According to a release from Cassidy’s office, “The PARTS Act brings clarity to federal firearm regulations by:
- Updating the definition of ‘silencer’ to focus on complete devices and a single principal component—similar to a firearm’s frame or receiver—rather than broad, vague terms like “combination of parts” or “any part intended only for use” in a silencer.
- Ensuring gun owners can purchase replacement parts like wipes without burdensome ATF paperwork.
- Preventing ATF from using subjective interpretation to unfairly target gun owners and businesses.”
The legislation garnered quick support from the Silencer Shop, American Suppressor Association, National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, and Firearm Regulatory Accountability Coalition.
Coincidentally, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden on Monday sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Acting ATF Director Kash Patel, “), asking them to eliminate the seven-day waiting period to purchase a firearm or associated accessories, including silencers, over state lines.”
The letter may be read here.
SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR SIGNS PRO-2A LEGISLATION
In a statement from Sheehy’s office, the senator explained, “The PARTS Act is proactive legislation that would provide much-needed clarity for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers and modernizes the outdated definition of a silencer to align it with current technologies, practices, and demands.”
In recent years, the use of suppressors has been expanding among hunters, especially in regions where the human population is spreading out. Silencers also help hunters maintain stealth.
The use of silencers is also expanding among target shooters as a hearing protection measure.
In the release from Sheehy’s office, Silencer Shop General Counsel Chris Boeck stated, “We greatly appreciate the chance to work with Senator Sheehy’s office on such a profound piece of legislation. Imprecise definitions in the Gun Control Act have led to confusion and ‘interpretive’ rulemaking at the agency level, which leads to regulatory overreach—and even more confusion. The PARTS Act provides a foundational solution to clarify the GCA’s definition of ‘silencer.’ This is critical timing, given the tremendous increase in lawful silencer ownership, as more people realize the benefits silencers provide in preventing hearing damage, reducing recoil, and improving shot accuracy.”
A fact sheet from Sheehy’s office notes, “The current definition of ‘firearm silencer’ under the Gun Control Act could be interpreted to classify each individual component of a silencer as a silencer itself, leading to potential overreach through unconstitutional rulemaking. While the ATF has not yet officially classified silencer parts as silencers, an Open Letter published on November 20, 2023, proposed defining solvent traps as silencers based on ‘objective design features and characteristics,’ such as pilot holes or markings that could be used to drill out the end cap. This letter indicated plans to classify individual silencer parts as regulated silencers, in an attempt to reduce the overall accessibility of silencers.”
