Contact your reps

[farmerbyron]

The hearing protection act has been introduced to the House of Representatives. We always wait until restrictive legislation comes through to call our reps but this is a rare opportunity to make sure some positive legislation gets passed. The bill needs cosponsors and ideally would be great to add NFA deregulation of SBRs as well. It would be a natural opportunity as suppressors and SBRs go hand in hand. May not get another opportunity again. Calling their D.C. Office is by far the most effective means to be heard. You will talk to a staffer and the more calls they get, the more likely our reps are to cosponsor and even add to the HPA. Get on it guys.

Bill is called The Duncan-Carter Hearing Protection Act—H.R. 367

 

[Pokinfun]

looks like Congressman Jim Bridenstine from Oklahoma is a Co-sponsor.

 

[rawhide]

Contacting legislators does make a difference. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[farmerbyron]

looks like Congressman Jim Bridenstine from Oklahoma is a Co-sponsor.

It would still be worth the call to encourage adding SBRs to the bill too. If he's a cosponsor already then he may be more open than most to expanding the deregulation.

 

[Okie4570]

Call, call, call. Email should be last resort.

 

[mugsy]

https://www.nraila.org/articles/201...rom-you-on-the-hearing-protection-act-of-2017

There is now a companion Senate Bill sponsored by Sen Crapo - write to your US Rep. and both of your US senators.

Text follows for the click impaired:
Your Members of Congress Need to Hear from You on the Hearing Protection Act of 2017
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

SUPPORT NRA-ILA
On Monday, Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) – joined by co-sponsors Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Rand Paul (R-KY) – introduced S. 59, the Hearing Protection Act of 2017 (HPA). Similar legislation was introduced in the House by Reps. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) and John Carter (R-TX) – along with 42 co-sponsors – as H.R. 367.

The HPA would remove sound suppressors from regulation under the National Firearms Act (NFA) and treat them as ordinary firearms under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA). As with other firearms, commercial manufacturers, dealers, and importers would still have to be licensed, and the items’ retail sales would be subject to the GCA’s background check and transfer form requirements.

Currently, suppressors (misleadingly referred to as “silencers” in federal law) are subject to the NFA’s cumbersome and lengthy application process and a $200 tax stamp. Lawful purchasers can expect a raft of red tape and months of waiting. This is so, even though the devices themselves are completely harmless and very rarely used in crime.

Like a muffler on an automobile, suppressors reduce the muzzle report of the firearm to which they are attached, protecting the hearing of the firearm’s operator and reducing noise and disturbance to those in nearby vicinities. Recoil is also dampened. “Gun owners and sportsmen should be able to enjoy their outdoor heritage with the tools necessary to do so safely. This bill makes it easier for them to do that,” stated NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox.

Contrary to their portrayal in movies and television shows, suppressors do not render firearms all but soundless. They do, however, make them safer and quieter to operate.

Suppressors have soared in popularity in recent years, as more and more hunters and firearm owners have discovered their benefits. Private ownership is legal in 42 states, and they are lawful for hunting in 40 of those states.

Ironically, regulation of suppressors is one area where American gun owners are at a relative disadvantage to their counterparts in other countries. In England – which has gone a long way toward eradicating private firearm ownership – suppressors are nevertheless encouraged for private firearm owners and mandatory for uses such as pest control.

It is inconsistent, if not incoherent, that mufflers are commonly used or even legally required on noise-producing tools in the U.S. – including cars, lawn mowers, chainsaws, etc. – but legally discouraged for use on firearms.

It’s also the height of hypocrisy for gun control groups posing as “safety organizations” and pushing so-called “smart gun” technology to oppose legislation that would increase the safety and reduce the collateral effects of lawfully-owned guns.

The NRA strongly supports the HPA and thanks its sponsors and co-sponsors in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate for their leadership in this important effort. We also commend the American Suppressor Association, which has provided valuable insight and expertise on this issue.

“Gun owners and sportsmen should be able to enjoy their outdoor heritage with the tools necessary to do so safely. This bill makes it easier for them to do that,” stated NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox.

Please make sure your U.S. senators and congressional representative hear from you on this legislation to protect Second Amendment rights and the health of the American gun owner. It is long past time to discard America’s antiquated and unsupported approach to suppressor regulation.

You can contact your member of Congress via our Write Your Reps tool by clickingHERE or use the Congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

 

[Fredkrueger100]

This would be Godsend if this passes and becomes law. I really hope our reps do what's right and this passes. There is absolutely no reason we shouldn't be able to buy a suppressor the same way we do a firearm. And just think of the financial impact it will have in this country. Will be a multi million dollar boost to our economy. I will be calling.

 

[tRidiot]

I will be calling and emailing. Maybe snail-mailing, too. Thanks for the heads' up.

 

[Frederick]

The most important thing is to make sure you vote. Especially during primaries and mid terms, the turnout is insanely low. like 30-40% or less. 690,000 people are in my district. Steve Russel, the representative in my district, only received 34,157 votes in the primary. So your vote matters. When you vote and your voter registration is public record, and these representatives look that stuff up when you e-mail them. Consistently voting is how you have your voice heard, and talk to your neighbors, too.

One of the reasons the NRA is so powerful is not because we're the largest organization in the country or even the richest -- we've got a very active political base and the NRA delivers votes to representatives that back policies that help our cause.

https://ballotpedia.org/Oklahoma's_5th_Congressional_District_election,_2016

 

[HiredHand]

I'd love to see the NFA tax removed but a NICS check seems unnecessary to me because we shouldn't treat a suppressor like it's a firearm.