SilencerCo, the American Suppressor Association, and the SilencerShop have teamed up to introduce a bill to remove silencers (i.e. suppressors) from the NFA.  If the legislation becomes law, a suppressor would be transferred through an ATF Form 4473 just like a rifle.  Most importantly, no $200 tax stamp, a reduction of the paperwork hurdles, and elimination of the long wait times wondering if the government is going to accept your tax payment and allow you to possess the suppressor you have already paid for.

SilencerCo has launched a new Fight The Noise campaign.  Join in today!

The essence of the bill is contained in SilencerCo’s press release:

On October 22, the Hearing Protection Act was introduced.  This piece of legislation is aimed at removing silencers from the NFA and instead having their transfer go through a traditional ATF Form 4473 – the same way you would purchase a rifle.  What does this mean for the general public?  No $200 tax stamp.  No excessive wait times.  No fingerprint cards, passport photos, or Chief Law Enforcement Officer signature.  No NFA trusts. A simple process, just like when you purchase most firearms through a dealer.

Citizens should not be taxed for trying to protect their hearing while exercising their Second Amendment rights.  The Hearing Protection Act also includes a provision for all people who purchase a silencer between the time the bill is introduced until the day it passes –  should you purchase a silencer during that time, you will receive a $200 tax credit to cover the cost of any new silencer tax stamps you pay for.

SilencerCo and all supporters of the bill realize that this is a long-term effort and will not be something that happens overnight.  With the help of people like you, we will gain momentum and educate both the general public and lawmakers as to the true nature of silencers.

The complete text of the bill is as follows:

114th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. R. 3799

To provide that silencers be treated the same as long guns.


IN THE HO– USE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 22, 2015

Mr. Salmon (for himself, Mr. Guinta, Mr. Carter of Texas, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. Collins of New York, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Mr.Huelskamp, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mrs. Love, Mr. LaMalfa, and Mr. Stewart) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned


A BILL

To provide that silencers be treated the same as long guns.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Hearing Protection Act of 2015”.

SEC. 2. EQUAL TREATMENT OF SILENCERS AND FIREARMS.

(a) In General.—Section 5845(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking “(7) any silencer” and all that follows through “; and (8)” and inserting “; and (7)”.

(b) Effective Date.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendment made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2) TRANSFERS.—In the case of the tax imposed by section 5811 of such Code, the amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to transfers after October 22, 2015.

SEC. 3. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN SILENCERS.

Section 5841 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(f) Firearm Silencers.—A person acquiring or possessing a firearm silencer in accordance with Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, shall be treated as meeting any registration and licensing requirements of the National Firearms Act (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this subsection) with respect to such silencer.”.

SEC. 4. PREEMPTION OF CERTAIN STATE LAWS IN RELATION TO FIREARM SILENCERS.

Section 927 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, a law of a State or a political subdivision of a State that, as a condition of lawfully making, transferring, using, possessing, or transporting a firearm silencer in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, imposes a tax on any such conduct, or a marking, recordkeeping or registration requirement with respect to the firearm silencer, shall have no force or effect.”.

 

www.SilencerCo.com

www.SilencerShop.com

www.FightTheNoise.org

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Publisher of Tactical Gun Review and Texas Outdoors Network. I love hunting for Texas whitetail deer, wild hogs, and high-volume Argentina dove. When not hunting you can find me fishing along the Texas Coast or on a wild Colorado river.

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