American Suppressor Association Issues Statement of Support for Hearing Protection Act Reintroduction

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Today, the American Suppressor Association (ASA), issued a statement of support for the  introduction of the Hearing Protection Act for the 119th Congress by U.S. Representative Ben Cline.  

“The Hearing Protection Act is the epitome of commonsense legislation. Law-abiding citizens should not have to pay  a tax to protect their hearing when they exercise their Second Amendment rights,” said Knox Williams, President  and Executive Director of ASA. “The American Suppressor Association applauds Rep. Cline for his leadership and  willingness to fight for the rights of gunowners across the United States. We look forward to continuing productive  conversations with members of Congress and the incoming administration to ensure the best policy outcomes for  the suppressor industry and entire gun-owning community.” 

“LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY A TAX TO  PROTECT THEIR HEARING,” 

— Knox Williams, President and Executive Director of ASA.  

The Hearing Protection Act would remove suppressors from the burdensome requirements of the National Firearms  Act (NFA) and require purchasers to pass an instant NICS check, the same background check used during the  sale of long guns. This change will make it is easier for law-abiding hunters and sportsmen to access these hearing  safety devices. Congressman Cline’s bill is an enhanced version of the HPA introduced in every Congress for the  last decade. The legislation includes a technical change intended to clarify which part of a suppressor must be  marked with a serial number. 

Background

• Suppressors have been federally regulated since the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934. 
• In order to purchase a suppressor, prospective buyers must live in a state where suppressors are legal, send in an application including fingerprints and passport photos to the ATF, pay a $200 transfer tax, notify their local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO), and wait an indeterminate amount of time for ATF to process the application.
• Using the same science as car mufflers, suppressors help reduce noise pollution, allowing hunters and recreational shooters to be good neighbors and good stewards of the environment. 
• Often referred to as “silencers,” suppressors are widely misunderstood by the public due to this misnomer. A suppressor only reduces the sound level of a gunshot to 110-120 decibels, about as loud as a jackhammer or ambulance siren.
• Private suppressor ownership is currently legal in 42 states, and hunting with a suppressor is legal in 41 states.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SUPPRESSOR ASSOCIATION  

The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is the unified voice of the suppressor industry. Our mission is  to unite and advocate for the common interests of the suppressor community. To accomplish our mission,  our principal initiatives focus on state lobbying, federal lobbying, public education, and industry outreach.  For more information on the Hearing Protection Act and the American Suppressor Association, visit  https://americansuppressorassociation.com/