Hearing Protection Act…

Once more to the well…

Fairfax, Va.— The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) applauded Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo on Wednesday for introducing the Hearing Protection Act, an important bill that eases restrictions on tools that help gun owners and sportsmen protect their hearing. Similar legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House (H.R. 367).

“The Hearing Protection Act would make it easier for sportsmen to purchase the tools necessary to protect their hearing,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director, NRA-ILA. “Many gun owners and sportsmen suffer severe hearing loss, and yet sound suppressors – a tool that can reduce such loss – are overly regulated and taxed.” 

The Hearing Protection Act, S. 59, would remove suppressors from regulation under the National Firearms Act, replacing the current process with a National Instant Criminal Background Check. In addition, the bill would reduce the cost of purchasing a suppressor by removing the $200 transfer tax.

 Suppressors are often mischaracterized. Unlike in the movies, they do not “silence” the sound of a firearm.  By reducing the decibel level made by a firearm to a safe range, suppressors reduce hearing damage for those who shoot and hunt.

S. 59 would make it easier for gun owners and sportsmen to purchase suppressors in the 42 states where they are currently legal. Purchasers would have to pass a background check prior to a sale.

“Gun owners and sportsmen should be able to enjoy their outdoor heritage with the tools necessary to do so safely. This bill makes it easier for them to do that,” concluded Cox.

Maybe this time it will actually make it to the floor!!!

h/t NRA Media

Comments

Hearing Protection Act… — 11 Comments

  1. The 2A crowd’s experience playing offense is been severely limited. At heart, we’re a defensive team. Our experience on offense has been limited to the surgical precision with which Alan Gura has cut the cancerous bonds on our right.

    If history is any guide, the GOP has a limited time of useful consciousness in Washington before becoming victims of their own hubris. With that in mind, might I suggest a strategy and a priority list? I think this bill should be #1.

    Having said that, I hope our side has done our homework and made this legislation as bulletproof as possible. What we don’t need is an uncoordinated effort where we throw a bunch of crap at the wall and see what sticks.

  2. Widespread use of suppressors would make life easier for firearm hating gun grabbers as they won’t need to endure the loud sounds of freedom.

  3. in the 42 states where they are currently legal.

    This bill should make them legal in all 50 states and why a background check? It serves no purpose except to make the ATF change the 4473 one more time (latest change goes into effect Monday).

  4. Ah, supressors. Lovely things! Along with electronic muffs, they mean I and my female friends can enjoy an afternoon out at the range, and still get caught up on all our chatting!

    For those times when we actually want instruction, too, they make it so MUCH easier to learn, because we don’t have to be screaming to ask questions, or straining to understand what the instructor is saying. Some men may enjoy yelling, but I find it stressful, over and above the way some hand cannons want to assault my entire body with a concussion wave (and any unprotected skin with burning hot brass, blech.)

    I for one am completely in favour of this bill! I want a lovely suppressor on my lilac AR, as well as my Ruger Mark IV. (The dear thing looks like it was made to be completed with a suppressor, you know? Already comes with a threaded barrel.)

  5. Jeremiah- Your point is well made, and wholly agree!!!

    Ed/LL- Oh hell yes!!! 🙂

    WSF- Great point!

    Robert- Agreed! And they ding us for $200!!!

    Wing- Do you want it in lilac too? 😛 And agreed…LOL

  6. I agree…lilac sounds very nice…but basic black does go with just about everything. 🙂

    • I might have to get the suppressor in black instead of lilac, so I can apply it to several guns, and if my husband uses it, he doesn’t have to have that peculiar pained wince he does so well.

      Besides, I think a black suppressor ought to be like a little black dress: easy to accessorize with anything.

  7. I am waiting on this to pass and I will camp outside a gun store just like black Friday to buy a few. Heck, let’s not stop there, let’s get rid of the National Firearms Act as well.