Progress of Hearing Protection Act, removing suppressors from NFA

[johndoe3]

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/1 ... can-239440

Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC) wrote the Hearing Protection Act, which now has 146 co-sponsors, and is assigned to House Committees. The stand-alone Hearing Protection Act would remove suppressors from the NFA and refund the $200 cost for the year it is passed.

On a parallel track, Rep. Duncan then wrote the more benign Bill--Sportsmen Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act(SHARE)--which is the type of bi-partisan Bill often passed to make a number of small changes in supporting hunting and recreational shooting. In it, Rep. Duncan included the entire silencer provision as part of the larger Bill. The SHARE Bill is scheduled for discussion on Wednesday in the House Natural Resources subcommittee.

Both Bills would do the same thing, although my guess is that as part of the larger SHARE Bill, the suppressor removal from the NFA would pass more easily (under the radar) than the stand-alone Hearing Protection Act which is at the top of the gun-control groups to oppose.

It's good to know that our representatives are taking inventive steps to actually pass the silencer provisions. As silencer owners, we should be indifferent on whether either Bill passes, since they do the same thing.

[T-Rex]

Good news and thank you for the update.
Keep us posted

[John A.]

I got an email from GOA today.

--------------------------------

year ago, amending the provisions of the overbearing and unconstitutional National Firearms Act would have been considered "a long shot."

And yet, here we are. A free-standing bill to remove suppressors from the act -- dubbed the "Hearing Protection Act" -- has 146 cosponsors, including several Democrats.

That bill is H.R. 367
Now Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC) has included the Hearing Protection Act in a larger "Sportsmen's" bill, which is expected to shortly move in the House.

This second Duncan bill is only in working draft form right now and has not been introduced as a free-standing bill.

This draft bill is expected to be considered in committee this week, which means that suppressor legislation could soon be moving to the full House.

The reality is this: Foolishly, the antiquated Depression-era National Firearms Act treats hearing protection devices like suppressors as though they were machine guns.

There is a full-scale FBI background check, together with fingerprints and a $200 transfer tax -- all for a "health protection" device which is little more than an elaborate tube.

And frankly, this foolishness is perpetuated by a myth: that suppressors completely silence the sound of firearms, and, hence, are the "weapon-du-jour" for Mafia hit men.

The facts are different. In fact, in places like Norway, where guns are strictly regulated, the use of hearing protection is actively encouraged.

Please help me ensure that hearing protection for hunters and shooters is encouraged here, as well.

GOA's Legislative Action Center automatically sends "thank you" letters to those Representatives who have already cosponsored the bill -- and urges those who are not on the bill to cosponsor it right away.

Finally, your letter will provide your congressman with an excellent Fact Sheet -- highlighting the health benefits from using suppressors -- that has been prepared by Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership.

Thank you for taking action.

Sincerely,

John Velleco
Director of Operations

[BigBlockBobby]

This has been put on hold due to the shooting. Hope that they will revisit this bill when the time is right.