Hearing Protection Act: Silencers for the Masses

Legal and responsible gun owners will soon be able to justify the cost of owning silencers. HR3799, The Hearing Protection Act is currently in committee in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

It has always been legal to own silencers in the United States. The problem is that they have had to obtain an individual license from the ATF. Each permit required a lengthy application process and a $ 200 fee. This also drove the price of mufflers up. All of which puts silencers out of budget for most gun owners.

Contrary to what television and movies have depicted over the years, a silencer does not silence a weapon. Perhaps a silencer would be a more accurate term. Similar in design and function to a car’s exhaust muffler, mufflers can significantly reduce volume. They do not eliminate it.

Experts agree that exposure to noise greater than 140 dB can permanently damage hearing. This damage can range from dulling of hearing, ringing in the ears, to total hearing loss. Worst of all, this damage is cumulative. Almost all firearms generate noise above the 140 dB level. Even a trip to the shooting range without protection can cause permanent hearing damage or loss to the shooter and anyone else nearby. The hearing protection offered by a silencer wouldn’t just be for target shooters. The noise reduction would also benefit hunters, shooting range employees, as well as anyone living near a shooting range. Personally, I believe that the greatest benefit would fall to our law enforcement officers. These fine men and women must practice and train with their weapons for years, on a regular basis. Even with the precautions and safety practices that follow, hearing damage is a real concern. Not to mention a substantial cost to law enforcement agencies, for security equipment, medical expenses, and unnecessarily putting our officers at risk.

We enforce a lot of noise regulations in the industry, we put silencers on our cars, we have limits for concerts and local movies. We understand the annoyances and dangers of noise in our cities and towns. EPA maintains noise levels in our homes and at work. Why the hell wouldn’t we allow shooters to voluntarily lower their noise levels? Rather than being in the same class as fully automatic guns and cannons, I think a silencer should be mandatory.

I know, I can hear it now. Making silencers more available will turn everyone into a killer. Seriously? The killers already have access. Usually, you won’t find any of them using them. They know how a muffler works. They know that Hollywood is fantasy. The sound of a silenced pistol is considerably louder than a click and a puff of air. You still know a gun was fired, it just ain’t deafening

Hearing Protection Act of 2015 – HR3799

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) eliminate the $ 200 transfer tax on firearm silencers, and (2) treat anyone who purchases or possesses a firearm silencer as that complies with the registration or licensing requirements of the National Firearms Law with respect to such a silencer. Anyone who pays a muffler tax after October 22, 2015 can receive a refund of that tax.

The bill amends the federal penal code to pre-empt state or local laws that tax or regulate firearm silencers.

While this bill is well supported, Congress should know that we support this bill. I urge you to contact your Senator and Representative and tell them to co-sponsor and support HR3799.

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