Two Republican lawmakers introduced legislation to remove certain regulations surrounding firearm suppressors. Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, are the chief co-sponsors of the Silencers Help Us Save Hearing (SHUSH) Act.
A firearm suppressor, or “silencer,” is a device attached to the muzzle of a firearm to reduce the noise, muzzle flash and recoil generated when the gun is fired. However, a suppressor doesn’t completely mute the sound of a gun firing. Rather, it lowers it by an average of 20 to 35 decibels –– a reduction similar to wearing ear protection.
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The congressmen say that under current law, acquiring a silencer is a lengthy process through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Applicants must fill out and submit several documents and provide certification from a local law enforcement officer. They also need to submit two copies of fingerprints, provide two passport photos and pay $200 in federal taxes.
According to Cloud and Lee, most law-abiding citizens wait nine to 12 months for approval, making it a burden.
The SHUSH Act would remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA) and Gun Control Act (GCA). It would reclassify them as a standard firearm accessory.
The proposed legislation would also prohibit state taxes and registration requirements on silencers and end the $200 federal tax. It would also streamline the acquisition process and permit active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed suppressors.
Suppressors protect hearing, enhance safety, and reduce firearm noise—yet Hollywood and D.C. have vilified them. Law-abiding Americans shouldn’t face extra red tape and taxes for a safety accessory. @SenMikeLee & I are pushing back with the SHUSH Act!https://t.co/95qzRtujBQ
— Congressman Michael Cloud (@RepCloudTX) January 31, 2025
“Suppressors are a vital tool for responsible gun owners that protect hearing, enhance safety, and reduce firearm noise — but thanks to Hollywood and federal overreach, they’ve been unfairly vilified,” Cloud said in a statement. “Law-abiding Americans shouldn’t have to endure months of red tape and pay an additional tax just to access a safety accessory. The SHUSH Act puts an end to this unnecessary bureaucratic red tape, eliminates the federal tax, and prevents state overreach by treating suppressors like any other firearm accessory.”
Opponents of firearm suppressors say they can be highly dangerous. They also say suppressors pose significant public safety risks if they get into the wrong hands.
Everytown for Gun Safety is a nonprofit organization that advocates for gun control. The organization says a silencer makes it harder for bystanders or law enforcement to identify and react quickly to gunshots. They say being able to hear gunshots can be a matter of life or death.
The SHUSH Act has been introduced to Congress several times, including in 2019, 2021, and again in July 2024.
