Silencer Shop and the American Suppressor Association Foundation (ASA-F) have teamed up to fight back against an unconstitutional ban on suppressors. Illinois has had a long-standing ban on the sale and possession of silencers, limiting law-abiding citizens’ second amendment right to bear arms and to protect the hearing of themselves and others. Illinois is one of only eight states with a silencer ban in place, but that may change soon thanks to the combined effort of Silencer Shop and the ASA-F.
After the groundbreaking New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen decision in 2022 asserted that the state must demonstrate that the ban is consistent with “the Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.” other state gun laws are being examined through the same lens. Our Lawsuit alleges that there is no historical tradition for banning safety equipment and that silencers make firearms safer.
Anderson v. Raoul, filed 2/27/2023, would restore suppressor rights to millions of residents in the Prairie State. There are 2.4 million Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) Card holders in Illinois, this is the permit required for firearms ownership, and there are nearly 300,000 hunting licenses sold each year in the state.
Carlin Anderson is an avid hunter and outdoorsman, but since living in Illinois he has lost his will to hunt as he cannot outfit his rifle with a suppressor to protect his hearing while enjoying nature and staying alert. Dave Clark is a competitive shooter who would benefit from reduced hearing damage risk while training and competing with a suppressor but cannot use one due to the state’s unconstitutional ban. Silencer Shop and the ASA-F are fighting to restore these citizens, and millions of others, the right to protect their hearing.
Chris Boeck, Silencer Shop’s General Council, and ASA-F Board Member commented “We’re optimistic the courts will agree with our interpretation and extend the right to own suppressors to the people of Illinois. Suppressors offer critical hearing protection, reduce recoil, and improve accuracy. They facilitate communication and situational awareness while hunting, at the range, and during urgent moments of self-defense. They make firearms safer.” Suppressors improve the accuracy of your firearm and reduce violent flash, concussion, and sound which can permanently damage your senses.
