U.S. Rep. Ben Cline’s Hearing Protection Act Introduction
WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, welcomes U.S. Rep. Ben Cline’s (R-Va.) H.R. 404, the Hearing Protection Act, which would remove firearm suppressors from the list of definitions under the 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA), eliminating onerous and duplicitous background checks. Instead, what is essentially a muffler for a gun would be regulated under the 1968 Gun Control Act (GCA) with the same background check that is required for a retail firearm purchase. The legislation would also amend the statutory suppressor definitions to eliminate ambiguity that might lead to the criminalization of lawful firearm accessories.
“Congressman Cline’s Hearing Protection Act will have the federal government recognize firearm suppressors for what they are: These are accessories to a firearm that make recreational shooting and hunting a safer experience,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “These safety devices reduce the report of a firearm to a level that won’t cause instant and permanent hearing damage. Read more