GOP Suppressor bills introduced in both houses

[middlefinger]

.

Republicans Introduce Bill to Reform Silencer Laws to Both Houses of Congress

Would remove special tax and registration requirements



BY: Stephen Gutowski
January 14, 2017 5:00 am

Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Senate introduced legislation this week to reform the laws that govern firearm silencers.

The twin bills, both named the Hearing Protection Act, were introduced by Reps. Jeff Duncan (R., S.C) and John Carter (R., Texas) in the House and Sen. Mike Crapo (R., Idaho) in the Senate.

The bills would remove the special $200 tax and months-long registration process currently applied to silencers. The requirement that anyone buying a silencer from a licensed gun dealer pass a background check will remain.

Gun rights advocates have long argued that silencers are a safety device since they reduce the noise associated with firing many firearms from a level that is damaging to the shooter’s hearing to a level that, while not actually silent, is far safer.

They believe that easier access to and wider adoption of the devices could reduce firearm-related hearing damage, especially for those who commonly hunt without hearing protection.

Advocates often compare firearms silencers to car mufflers since Hiram Percy Maxim had a hand in creating both and they both utilize the same technology.

Leading gun rights groups are backing the proposals and praised Sen. Crapo and Reps. Duncan and Carter for their leadership on the issue.

“This legislation will enable gun owners to have better access to hearing protection products and improve safety for the shooting sports by removing extensive wait times for burdensome paperwork processing that does not advance public safety,” said Lawrence Keane, senior vice president at the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

“NSSF is appreciative of Sen. Crapo’s leadership on this firearms safety issue and his willingness to stand alongside lawful American gun owners, hunters, and shooting sports enthusiasts.”

“Many gun owners and sportsmen suffer severe hearing loss after years of shooting, and yet the tool necessary to reduce such loss is onerously regulated and taxed.

It doesn’t make any sense,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Association’s lobbying arm.

“The Duncan-Carter Hearing Protection Act would allow people easier access to suppressors, which would help them to better protect their hearing.”

Sources within those leading gun groups put the Hearing Protection Act, along with Rep. Richard Hudson’s (R., N.C.) National Reciprocity bill, among the top priorities for the gun rights movement under Presidenet-elect Donald Trump’s administration.

Activists have publicly expressed excitement at the prospects for silencer reform in the aftermath of the election.

http://freebeacon.com/issues/republi...s-of-congress/

[Wildbill990]

Already covered http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=315072. Write your reps/senators or call them. I've included the popvox links in the other thread.