Congress has just put forth legislation that could change everything. And Americans are stunned.
Because the Second Amendment will never be the same after what Congress just did.
Firearm Silencers Poised for Deregulation in Landmark Legislation
A sweeping legislative package, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” passed the House on Thursday, carrying a provision that could reshape the landscape for firearm silencers in the United States.
If the Senate gives its approval (at the time of writing the Senate has not voted on this legislation), this measure would eliminate a $200 federal excise tax on silencers and free them from the stringent registration requirements of the National Firearms Act, marking a significant victory for advocates of gun rights and hearing protection.
“This is a massive 2A victory — one that takes important steps toward restoring our constitutional freedoms,” declared Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), a gun store owner who championed the provision with fervor.
Far from the Hollywood portrayal of silencers rendering gunshots whisper-quiet, these devices—often called suppressors by gun rights advocates to dispel myths—work by channeling gases through chambers to temper the explosive sound of a shot. On average, they reduce a gunshot’s noise by 20 to 35 decibels.
For context, a typical gunshot clocks in at 150 to 170 decibels, while a lawnmower hums at 85 to 96 decibels. Even with suppressors, experts universally recommend hearing protection for shooters to prevent auditory damage.
“There is a common misconception that suppressors can actually eliminate the noise of a gunshot, and that could not be further from the truth,” explained Knox Williams, president and executive director of the American Suppressor Association (ASA), in an interview with the New York Post.
“In reality, suppressors do reduce the noise of a gunshot to safer levels, but they are still incredibly loud. Gunshots are so loud that without adequate hearing protection, they will cause permanent hearing damage.”
Despite their benefits, silencers remain outlawed in eight states and the District of Columbia. The push to loosen federal restrictions faced fierce opposition from Democrats, who proposed an amendment—ultimately defeated—to strip the silencer provision from the bill.
“Silencers make mass shootings worse, more deadly,” argued Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI), representing a state where silencers are banned. “They make it harder for victims and law enforcement to locate the source of the shooting. What is beautiful about that?”
Initially, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act only targeted the excise tax on silencers, but Rep. Clyde and his allies successfully added an amendment to remove registration requirements during a last-minute push. Clyde also attempted to ease regulations on short-barreled rifles, shotguns, and other weapons but fell short of securing those changes.
For years, groups like the ASA and the National Rifle Association have pressed lawmakers to reduce barriers to silencer ownership, emphasizing the risk of hearing loss from unsuppressed firearms. Williams highlighted the importance of removing silencers from the National Firearms Act, noting that registration requirements deter many gun owners.
“Gun owners are rightfully very distrustful and averse to any sort of registration requirements. History shows that when there are registries of guns, oftentimes it’s just a matter of time before the government that maintains that registry comes to try and take those guns away,” he said.
The ASA cites studies showing that 70% to 80% of hunters forgo adequate ear protection, a gap that easier access to silencers could help bridge. Earlier this year, over half of Senate Republicans supported the Hearing Protection Act, a precursor to this provision, which also sought to lift silencer registration requirements.
“Firearm silencers should not be subject to overregulation and unconstitutional taxes that hamstring Texans’ freedoms and pocketbooks,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a co-sponsor of the earlier measure, celebrating the House’s passage of the massive bill.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act leverages the budget reconciliation process to sidestep the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold, a tactic governed by strict rules, including the Byrd Rule, which limits provisions to matters of government spending or taxation.
Supporters of the silencer measure argue it complies with these rules, as the National Firearms Act ties registration to the tax code.
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