South Carolina Congressman Jeff Duncan has reintroduced legislation aimed at making shooting safer, the so-called National Hearing Protection Act (H.R. 95).
He has 36 co-sponsors.
Duncan’s legislation would remove firearm suppressors from regulation under the 1934 National Firearms Act. As noted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation in a press release, changing the regulatory status of suppressors (“silencers”) would put them under regulation of the 1968 Gun Control Act, with the same background check requirements of a retail firearm purchase.
“This legislation removes barriers to owning an accessory that makes recreational shooting and hunting safer, more accurate and allows shooting ranges to be better neighbors,” said Lawrence Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Firearm suppressors are a safety device designed to make recreational shooting safer. They were originally listed under the NFA over concerns of poaching during the Great Depression, but that never bore out. Even today, suppressors are exceedingly rarely used in crime. NSSF thanks Congressman Duncan for his leadership to remove barriers to safe recreational shooting.”
According to NSSF, “Under current law, an individual purchasing a suppressor must locate a retailer that is regulated as a NFA Class III dealer, complete a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4 with the model and serial number of the suppressor, and obtain two passport photos and fingerprint cards from a local police department. The local chief law enforcement official must receive a completed copy of the application. Then the form, photographs and fingerprints must be sent to ATF along with a check to pay the $200 tax. Currently, it takes ATF about nine months to process the paperwork. Then, the customer can obtain the suppressor from the NFA Class III dealer upon an additional background check through FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).”
“Congressman Duncan’s legislation would eliminate those requirements and make suppressors available with the same paperwork, markings, record keeping and background check approval that is required for a firearm,” NSSF said.
