U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR), alongside Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), have introduced the Hearing Protection Act, a new piece of legislation designed to help law-abiding gun owners more easily access suppressors to protect their hearing and enhance safety. The bill seeks to reclassify suppressors, treating them similarly to traditional firearms for the purposes of regulation.
“Increasing access to hearing protection for sportsmen and hunters is common sense,” said Boozman. “Law-abiding, responsible gun owners should not have to fight burdensome regulations to enjoy their hobbies safely and with the accessories that can protect their hearing. I am proud to join my colleagues to update unreasonable limitations on suppressors and stand with shooting sports enthusiasts.”
Crapo highlighted the need for reform, noting, “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. It is past time Congress removes the burdensome barriers to accessing this equipment for the safety of Idaho’s hunters and sportsmen.”
The proposed Hearing Protection Act includes several key provisions:
– Removing suppressors from regulation under the National Firearms Act (NFA)
– Replacing the current federal transfer process with an instant National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check, aligning suppressor purchases with the process for rifles and shotguns
– Redirecting taxes on suppressors to fund state wildlife conservation agencies under the Pittman-Robertson Act instead of the NFA
Suppressors reduce gunshot noise by 20-35 decibels, roughly equivalent to the sound reduction provided by earplugs or earmuffs. The most effective suppressors reduce the peak sound level of a gunshot to approximately 110-120 decibels, comparable to the noise level of a jackhammer.
The bill has gained significant support and is cosponsored by several Senators, including Jim Risch (R-ID), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), and others.
The Hearing Protection Act has also been endorsed by several organizations, including the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the American Suppressor Association (ASA), Gun Owners of America (GOA), and the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Amyn Amlani, Ph.D., President of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, “The Hearing Protection Act will increase access to important hearing protection for millions of Americans. While the use of conventional hearing protection tools, such as earplugs and earmuffs, are fundamental for preventing noise-induced hearing loss in firearm users, conventional hearing protection alone does not always offer adequate protection from noise exposure. Firearm noise suppressors can be an effective supplement to traditional hearing protection.”
Opponents of the Hearing Protection Act argue that the use of suppressors on firearms make them harder to detect and more likely to use in crimes. Under current Arkansas law, suppressors are considered NFA items and must be purchased through an authorized dealer, registered through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and an additional tax stamp, or transfer fee, must be paid.
To view the full text of this legislation, click here.
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