Lawmakers introduced a new bill aimed at deregulating suppressors and treating them like firearm accessories.
Introduced on January 30, “Silencers Help Us Save Hearing Act” would classify suppressors as gun accessories, therefore removing them from under the purview of the National Firearms Act.
The SHUSH Act would erase all federal, local, and state restrictions on suppressors. This means that record-keeping, marking, and registration laws would no longer be needed.
Additionally, the bill would allow active and retired law enforcement personnel to carry concealed suppressors.
Currently, suppressors are classified under the NFA. This means that to own one, consumers must first fill out paperwork and pay a $200 tax stamp, then wait for approval from the ATF.
The SHUSH Act would, therefore, make suppressor ownership easier, accessible, and cheaper.
U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) said that suppressors are not scary like Hollywood has made them out to be but, instead, are essential tools everyday gun owners should be able to use.
“Suppressors are a vital tool for responsible gun owners that protect hearing, enhance safety, and reduce firearm noise—but thanks to Hollywood and federal overreach, they’ve been unfairly vilified,” Cloud said in a statement.
“Law-abiding Americans shouldn’t have to endure months of red tape and pay an additional tax just to access a safety accessory. The SHUSH Act puts an end to this unnecessary bureaucratic red tape, eliminates the federal tax, and prevents state overreach by treating suppressors like any other firearm accessory.”
But opponents disagree.
“Silencers pose a significant danger in the wrong hands,” Everytown for Gun Safety said on its site.
“They make it harder for bystanders or law enforcement to identify and react quickly to gunshots. Policymakers should block the gun lobby’s dangerous efforts to deregulate silencers.”
This isn’t the first time the bill has graced the congressional floor. It appeared in 2019, 2021, and July 2024.
For now, the SHUSH Act has been referred to the Committee on Finance.
What do you think of the SHUSH Act? Sound off in the comments below. Interested in getting your own suppressor, check out the Best 9mm & .45 ACP Suppressors, Best AR-15 Suppressors, and our guide to How to Buy A Suppressor.
12 Leave a Reply
More safety devices and less govt regulation!
Would this negate State laws that don't allow suppressors?
This country needs to get in line with other countries that understand why suppressors are a very important accessory to a gun. Hearing protection is required on all shooting ranges in this country to protect hearing. Not only for the shooters but for the spectators watching what is going on. Suppressors would help mitigate range noise and go easier on every one involved. And as residents of the USA, and supporters of the Constitution we need to put a stop to all the laws that are doing no good but infringing on our rights.
Glock switches, which are all over the streets, are clearly illegal and make the gun more lethal without any benefits to most of us law abiding citizens. A silencer doesn’t do anything to make a gun more lethal and has many benefits for citizens and their neighbors. If a criminal wants to use a silencer, they can make one very easily and inexpensively out of a filter purchased from an auto parts store. This bill helps people like me, retired fixed income gun enthusiast who have bad hearing and want a well made product.
I cannot believe that any police officer would believe this bill is a step in the right direction. Kill this bill before its' passage kills cops.
Especially when they are Flerken cats
And on a more positive note, I'm for it. Keep going!
ANY weapon poses a significant danger, IN THE WRONG HANDS. That is an ignorant argument, but then most gun control arguments are ignorant.
Nope, no way, no how. It's a given that the Demonrats won't vote for it, but there are WAY TOO MANY stupid, squishy Republicrats who only care about their next election. And since many millions of gun (and suppressor) owners don't even vote, getting suppressors removed from the NFA WILL NEVER HAPPEN!!!
As long as we have Hollywood movies portraying suppressors as what they’re not—Will be a tough sell to the uneducated lawmakers.
And why should cops get different rights? All Cats Are Beautiful.
It will never happen…