Two Republican lawmakers proposed a law to change some rules about gun silencers. Rep. Michael Cloud from Texas and Sen. Mike Lee from Utah are the main supporters of the SHUSH Act, which stands for Silencers Help Us Save Hearing.
A firearm suppressor, or “silencer,” is a device attached to the muzzle of a firearm to reduce the noise, muzzle flash and recoil produced when the gun is fired. A silencer doesn’t make a gun silent. Instead, it reduces noise by about 20 to 35 decibels, which is like using ear protection.
Congress members explain that getting a silencer right now takes a long time because of the rules set by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Applicants need to complete and send in some papers and get certification from a local police officer. They must send two copies of their fingerprints, provide two passport photos, and pay $200 in federal taxes.
Cloud and Lee say that most law-abiding people have to wait nine to 12 months for approval, which makes it difficult for them.
The SHUSH Act would take suppressors out of the National Firearms Act (NFA) and the Gun Control Act (GCA). It would change their category to a regular firearm device.
The new law would stop state taxes and licensing rules on silencers and get rid of the $200 federal tax. It would make it easier to buy suppressors and allow current and former police officers to carry them hidden.
“Suppressors are important for responsible gun owners because they protect hearing, improve safety, and lower gun noise. However, they have been wrongly criticized due to Hollywood’s portrayal and government actions,” Cloud said in a statement. “People who follow the law shouldn’t have to wait a long time and pay extra fees to get a safety tool.” The SHUSH Act removes needless rules, gets rid of the federal tax, and stops states from overstepping by treating suppressors like regular gun accessories.
Critics of gun suppressors argue that they can be very risky. They also say that suppressors can be dangerous to public safety if they are used by the wrong people.
Everytown for Gun Safety is a nonprofit group that supports gun control. The organization says that a silencer makes it difficult for people nearby or police to hear and respond quickly to gunshots. Hearing explosions can be crucial for survival.
The SHUSH Act has been brought to Congress multiple times: in 2019, 2021, and again in July 2024.
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