Search the Community

A new Senate bill introduced in June by Senators Mike Lee and Mike Crapo would remove federal regulations of firearm silencers, classifying them as firearm accessories. This bill, known as the Silencers Helping Us Save Hearing (SHUSH) Act, would take the Hearing Protection Act (HPA), which is currently under consideration, a step further in protecting the rights of hunters and sportsmen across the country. The bill has also been introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Steve King. What would the SHUSH Act do? The current HPA bill, that has 154 co-sponsors, would be a victory for gun enthusiasts across the nation—eliminating processing delays in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and getting rid of costly tax stamps. However, the HPA bill would still include transfer requirements, that regulate firearm suppressors the same way as firearms. By taking the bill a step further with the SHUSH Act and reclassifying silencers as firearm accessories, the transfer requirements would be removed, making it easier for law-abiding citizens to purchase firearm suppressors over-the-counter. In a press release from Senator Lee’s office regarding the introduction of the SHUSH Act in the Senate, Senator Lee states, “Suppressors can make shooting safer for the millions of hunters and sportsmen that exercise their constitutional right to use firearms every year,” going on to state, “The current process for obtaining a suppressor is far too expensive and burdensome. Our bill would remove these unnecessary federal regulations and make it easier for firearms users to protect themselves.” Hearing protection for gun owners In addition to removing burdensome taxes and processing delays, the SHUSH Act would protect the hearing of gun owners and hunters. Anti-gun advocates, such as Kristin Brown who works for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, have stated that “there is not evidence of a public health issue associated with hearing loss from gunfire.” However the American Speech Language Hearing Association has found quite the opposite to be true, reporting that firearm use can often lead to “high-frequency permanent hearing loss.” This hearing loss associated with firearm use can make hearing certain sounds of speech and pitches difficult for those that suffer from it. The SHUSH bill would be an important step in protecting the hearing of sportsmen and hunters around the country. In the release published by Senator Lee’s office, Senator Crapo states, “By properly classifying suppressors as a firearm accessory our bill would allow sportsmen to have better access to hearing protection and preserve the hearing of sportsmen, gun owners and those who live near shooting ranges.” Learn more about the use of firearm suppressors If you want to learn more about how you can protect your hearing while participating in shooting sports and the laws surrounding the use of gun silencers in the state of Tennessee, contact our Nashville shooting range today to learn more! Our five-star indoor gun range in Nashville includes a knowledgeable staff, gunsmithing, a gun shop, and a wide range of educational training courses. We look forward to hearing from you! Royalrangeusa.com