OKC Standard

U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin and Mike Crapo, alongside 27 Senate GOP colleagues, have reintroduced the Hearing Protection Act (HPA), a legislative proposal aimed at reclassifying suppressors to regulate them like regular firearms. The bill, known as S. 364, seeks to remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA) and replace the federal transfer process with an instantaneous National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check.

Senator Mullin emphasized the importance of protecting hearing while exercising Second Amendment rights: "Every law-abiding American must have the freedom to protect their hearing while exercising their Second Amendment rights." He added that the bill would eliminate wait times and taxes imposed by current regulations under the NFA.

Senator Crapo highlighted misconceptions surrounding suppressors: "Federal red tape continues to follow the false Hollywood narrative that suppressors are silent, and ignores the reality that they serve a genuine purpose in protecting the hearing of law-abiding American citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights."

Currently subject to additional regulatory burdens under the NFA, suppressors would be taxed under the Pittman-Robertson Act instead if this legislation passes. This change aims to direct more funding into state wildlife conservation agencies.

The HPA has garnered support from various organizations including the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), American Suppressor Association (ASA), Gun Owners of America (GOA), and National Rifle Association (NRA).

Amyn Amlani, Ph.D., President of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, stated: "The Hearing Protection Act will increase access to important hearing protection for millions of Americans."

Lawrence G. Keane from NSSF remarked on firearm safety improvements: "These safety devices reduce the report of a firearm to a level that won’t cause instant and permanent hearing damage."

Knox Williams from ASA criticized current federal bureaucracy: "It’s absurd that our unrestrained federal bureaucracy requires Americans to jump through hoops to buy simple hearing protection devices."

John Commerford from NRA pointed out international practices regarding suppressors: "Even in countries with the strictest firearms laws, suppressors are often unregulated products that anyone can buy over-the-counter."

On average, suppressors can diminish gunshot noise by 20-35 decibels but cannot silence it completely. The most effective models reduce peak sound levels only down to around 110-120 decibels.