Deadly Silence Act/Hearing Protection Act
Currently, firearm silencers (called suppressor by the industry) are regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) which also regulates the sale and possession of automatic rifles. (Yes, people still own fully automatic rifles even though they are heavily regulated.)
The Deadly Silence Act will allow gunfire suppressors to be deregulated and be sold to the public without regard to the dangers posed by silencers.
The Boston Globe reported on July 16, 2017, that "the National Hearing Conservation Association recently declared that silencers provide inadequate protection against hearing loss — recommending ear plugs or other protection even when silencers are in use." (http://bit.ly/2v7KXvt)
History on HR 367 from the American Suppressor Association: "In 2011, the American Suppressor Association formed with one primary goal in mind: remove suppressors from the purview of the National Firearms Act. For years, we have quietly worked behind the scenes in Washington, D.C. to set the stage for [the] Hearing Protection Act..." http://americansuppressorassociation.com/hearing-protection-act/
From The Boston Globe:
"Lifting the restrictions on sales, says Robert Spitzer, a political science professor at the State University of New York at Cortland and author of five books on gun policy, is really about boosting the fortunes of the gun industry.
'A lot of money is made in the gun industry from accessories,' he says. 'This is especially true of the popular AR-15-like weapons — assault-type weapons — which are sometimes referred to as ‘Barbie dolls for men.’
"The sound of gunfire, Spitzer says, is actually an important safety feature. Joggers running in the woods or pedestrians walking city streets should be able to hear gunshots clearly so they can avoid danger."
The American Suppressor Association (ASA) claims they only want to protect the hearing of gun enthusiasts. (Ceasefire Oregon suggests ear muffs which are inexpensive and effective.) The ASA professes to be concerned about the "tender ears of young shooters." Too bad they are not concerned about the tender bodies of young gunshot victims.
Position:
Oppose
Status:
Died in a previous Congress