Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently co-sponsored the Hearing Protection Act (HPA), legislation that would reclassify suppressors to regulate them like a regular firearm and provide recreational gun users better access to hearing protection equipment.
“Recreational gun users and sportsmen deserve proper noise protections when using their firearms, whether it be for hunting or target practice,” said Senator Tillis. “Suppressors offer this protection and should be readily accessible and not heavily regulated for law-abiding citizens who have a Second Amendment right to use their firearms. I am proud to work with my colleagues on this legislation to make this protection a reality.”
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;
· Remove suppressors from regulation under the NFA;
· 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 the process for a rifle or shotgun; and
· Tax suppressors under the Pittman-Robertson Act instead of the NFA, putting more funding into state wildlife conservation agencies.
The HPA would not change any laws in states that already prevent suppressors, nor does it get rid of the requirement for a background check.
The Hearing Protection Act is supported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the American Suppressor Association, Gun Owners of America, and the National Rifle Association.
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