The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would remove gun silencers, also known as suppressors, from the strictures of the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934.
The provision, part of a broader budget reconciliation measure known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1), aims to eliminate the current $200 tax and federal registration requirements for these devices. The vote has drawn sharply divided reactions, with several Florida lawmakers supporting the bill.
Passage of the bill, by a narrow 215-214 margin, has prompted praise from gun rights advocates, who see it as a restoration of Second Amendment rights and a practical measure for shooter safety.
Conversely, gun violence prevention organizations have voiced strong opposition, warning of potential dangers to public safety.
Groups such as GIFFORDS, founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, condemned the passage, highlighting the votes of Republican Representatives Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) and Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27) in their critique.
GIFFORDS stated that the bill discards nearly a century of regulatory precedent for devices they characterize as dangerous.
“Silencers enable shooters to cause more violence and damage from the shadows,” said GIFFORDS Executive Director Emma Brown, arguing that the devices make it harder for law enforcement to detect and respond to gunfire. The organization and others, including Everytown for Gun Safety, contend that easier access to silencers could increase the lethality of mass shootings and endanger police officers. They cite the use of a silencer in the 2019 Virginia Beach shooting as a point of concern.
On the other side of the debate, proponents argue that silencers are misunderstood. The National Rifle Association (NRA), the American Suppressor Association (ASA), and Gun Owners of America (GOA) have championed the deregulation.
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They assert that silencers are tools designed to protect hearing by reducing the loud report of a gunshot, benefit hunters and sport shooters, and that the current NFA regulations are outdated and overly burdensome for law-abiding citizens.
“The House passed the One Big Beautiful Bill, including a provision that removes suppressors from the NFA. The removal of suppressors from the unconstitutional NFA tax scheme is long overdue, and represents the biggest legislative victory for the Second Amendment community in my lifetime,” said the American Suppressor Association. “It will benefit millions of law-abiding gun owners who simply want to protect their hearing while exercising their Second Amendment rights. Congressional Republicans are clearly keeping their promise to strengthen the Second Amendment and recognize the real need for these critical hearing safety devices.”
If enacted, the bill would mean silencers would be treated similarly to standard firearms at the federal level, though their sale would still generally require a background check from licensed dealers.
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where its provisions, particularly the removal of silencers from NFA regulation, may face challenges under the Byrd Rule, which governs what can be included in reconciliation bills. The outcome in the Senate remains uncertain.
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