Austin News

February 28, 2025

AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn has expressed his support for the Hearing Protection Act, a legislative proposal aimed at changing the regulatory status of firearm suppressors. The act seeks to remove these devices from regulation under the National Firearms Act (NFA), aligning their purchase process with that of long guns.

Senator Cornyn stated, "For too long, firearm suppressors have been overregulated by those who want to prevent law-abiding citizens from exercising their Second Amendment rights. This commonsense legislation would cut burdensome red tape and ensure Americans can protect their hearing when using a firearm, and I’m glad to support it once again."

Currently, suppressors face additional regulations under the NFA. The proposed Hearing Protection Act would replace the existing federal transfer process with an immediate background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This change aims to simplify the purchasing and transfer procedures for suppressors, making them similar to those for rifles or shotguns. Additionally, the act proposes reallocating funds by taxing suppressors under the Pittman-Robertson Act instead of the NFA.

The legislation is spearheaded by Senator Mike Crapo and cosponsored by several other senators including Jim Risch, Bill Cassidy, Markwayne Mullin, Rick Scott, Roger Marshall, Kevin Cramer, Marsha Blackburn, John Boozman, Jim Justice, Lindsey Graham, Mike Rounds, Tim Sheehy, Pete Ricketts, Thom Tillis, Mike Lee, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Deb Fischer, Cynthia Lummis, John Kennedy, Jerry Moran , Steve Daines , Roger Wicker , Ted Budd , John Hoeven , Tom Cotton , Josh Hawley , and Ron Johnson.

Support for this act comes from various organizations such as the Academy of Doctors of Audiology; National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF); American Suppressor Association (ASA); Gun Owners of America (GOA); and National Rifle Association (NRA).