Hearing Protection Act gutted by House Ways and Means, need a push.

[MO Betta]

The House Ways and Means Committee had two bills to advance with the proposed budget, HR 404 (Hearing Protection Act) and 2395 (SHORT). The committee instead produced a proposal to reduce the $200 tax to zero (only for form 4 transfers, not form 1 construction) and keeps the registry and NFA process on suppressors. Their switchboards are currently getting hammered with demands for the full 404 and 2395 to be included in the proposals but we can really turn the screws on it.

Call and voice your support at:
House W&MC switchboard: (202) 225-3625
Speaker: (202) 225-4000
Majority Leader: (202) 225-3015
Majority Whip: (202) 225-2210

 

[KingOfTagSoup]

Bump this. Latest information I have is that the backlash has been so extreme that the committee is actually considering resubmitting the bill with the entire and original HPA. Keep up the pressure, be respectful but melt the phone lines. There is still a chance.

 

[KingOfTagSoup]

Specifically call the members on the Ways and Means committee, email, social media, etc.

 

[INMT]

I know this is about suppressors. Hard to tell from the original post, but what do I need to ask for when calling? Are we asking to pass the bill as originally proposed?

 

[KingOfTagSoup]

I know this is about suppressors. Hard to tell from the original post, but what do I need to ask for when calling? Are we asking to pass the bill as originally proposed?

Correct. The original bill would completely remove suppressors from the NFA. No more tax stamp, no wait times, no registration. Purchasing one would become no different than purchasing a rifle or shotgun. Instead, several RINOs sold out and gutted the bill, only changing tax stamp fee from $200 to $0, and leaving suppressors under the NFA. This is unacceptable, especially since the supposed 2A party has control of Congress and the executive. As a side note, Chris Cox, the former head of NRA, was lobbying against the HPA and was allegedly being assisted by a company in the suppressors business. I don't know what company that is but I'd sure like to find out. Word is they were worried deregulation would hurt their bottom line so they decided to betray the 2A community. But more on that later. Right now, you are correct, tell the representatives that we want passage of the original HPA in it's entirety and will accept nothing less.

 

[INMT]

Thanks for the clarification. I’ll be reaching out. And would definitely like to see what company was against it. Utter disgrace.

 

[KingOfTagSoup]

Thanks for the clarification. I’ll be reaching out. And would definitely like to see what company was against it. Utter disgrace.

Yeah I haven't been able to confirm that but if it's true it would be beyond the pale.

 

[MO Betta]

I've heard one name floated about but no proof, we'll call it shmilencer shentral. We'll see if there's any truth to it.

 

[KingOfTagSoup]

I've heard one name floated about but no proof, we'll call it shmilencer shentral. We'll see if there's any truth to it.

That has been my fear but yes, it's still just a rumor. I know however that SilencerCo and SilencerShop have said vehemently "wasn't us". The other one has remained silent so far.

 

[TheTone]

Nothing about suppressor companies or sellers lobbying against this surprises me. I always assumed they didn’t really want them too easy to get as it helps them keep prices ridiculous

 

[Big Fin]

That has been my fear but yes, it's still just a rumor. I know however that SilencerCo and SilencerShop have said vehemently "wasn't us". The other one has remained silent so far.

I was on the phone with Pete Brownell this week, CEO of Brownell's, and we talked about it. He told me every person he knew in the hunting and shooting sports was weighing in to try convince the urban Rs to support the inclusion of the Hearing Protection Act.

I just did a Google Search to your question. Screenshot below.

 

[Big Fin]

The link in that Google search takes you to the SC website that has this blog post of why they support the HPA - https://www.silencercentral.com/blog/hearing-protection-act-2020-status/

 

[Big Fin]

Point being, we all need to be pushing on this one. All the planets are aligned for it to pass, pending a few soft Rs who want a positive 2A rating when it is election time, but hide when the time comes to vote accordingly.

Contact your elected officials. I have contacted mine and thankfully they are enthusiastic supporters of the HPA.

Edited to add the link. No reason for someone not to take the five minutes at this link to make their voice heard - https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

 

[Forkyfinder]

Held up in the ways and means committee.

Committee Members

democrats-waysandmeans.house.gov

If one of your swamp critters is on that - please copy and paste this and email it to them.

Dear Legislator,

I am writing to express my strong support for the Hearing Protection Act and to urge you to advocate for the deregulation of firearm suppressors.

Suppressors are a proven tool for reducing noise-related hearing damage among law-abiding gun owners, hunters, and sport shooters. They are not the silent, sinister devices often depicted in popular media, but rather practical safety equipment that can significantly reduce the risk of permanent hearing loss without compromising public safety.

In many countries, suppressors are treated as standard hearing protection and are widely accessible. Yet in the United States, they remain heavily regulated under the National Firearms Act, making them difficult and expensive to obtain—even for responsible citizens who undergo background checks and comply with all firearms laws.

Deregulating suppressors under the Hearing Protection Act would not only align federal policy with common-sense safety practices, but also support the health and well-being of millions of hunters and recreational shooters. It would encourage the use of hearing protection in the field and at ranges, while maintaining all existing laws governing firearm use and ownership.

Please support the passage of this important legislation. Ensuring the hearing health of our hunting and shooting communities is a nonpartisan issue that deserves your attention and leadership.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City/State]
[Optional: Contact Info]

 

[Dave N]

OK, dumb question. Illinois says they're illegal for us. Would this change that, or would state law overrule it and remain a no-no?

 

[EastTNHunter]

Point being, we all need to be pushing on this one. All the planets are aligned for it to pass, pending a few soft Rs who want a positive 2A rating when it is election time, but hide when the time comes to vote accordingly.

Contact your elected officials. I have contacted mine and thankfully they are enthusiastic supporters of the HPA.

Edited to add the link. No reason for someone not to take the five minutes at this link to make their voice heard - https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

Appreciate that link. Saved as a favorite

 

[Forkyfinder]

If you support deregulating suppressors for the safety and hearing protection of hunters and shooters, reach out to the members of the House Ways and Means Committee. Here's a list of members and their websites where you can contact them:

Democratic Members:

Rep. Richard Neal (MA-01) – neal.house.gov

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) – doggett.house.gov

Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) – mikethompson.house.gov

Rep. John Larson (CT-01) – larson.house.gov

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) – blumenauer.house.gov

Rep. Ron Kind (WI-03) – kind.house.gov

Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ-09) – pascrell.house.gov

Rep. Danny K. Davis (IL-07) – davis.house.gov

Rep. Linda Sánchez (CA-38) – lindasanchez.house.gov

Rep. Brian Higgins (NY-26) – higgins.house.gov

Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) – sewell.house.gov

Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) – delbene.house.gov

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) – chu.house.gov

Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04) – gwenmoore.house.gov

Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-08) – dankildee.house.gov

Rep. Brendan Boyle (PA-02) – boyle.house.gov

Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08) – beyer.house.gov

Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-03) – evans.house.gov

Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) – schneider.house.gov

Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) – panetta.house.gov

Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04) – horsford.house.gov

Rep. Stacey Plaskett (VI-At Large) – plaskett.house.gov


Republican Members:

Rep. Jason Smith (MO-08) – jasonsmith.house.gov

Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL-16) – buchanan.house.gov

Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03) – adriansmith.house.gov

Rep. Mike Kelly (PA-16) – kelly.house.gov

Rep. David Schweikert (AZ-01) – schweikert.house.gov

Rep. Darin LaHood (IL-16) – lahood.house.gov

Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX-19) – arrington.house.gov

Rep. Ron Estes (KS-04) – estes.house.gov

Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) – smucker.house.gov

Rep. Kevin Hern (OK-01) – hern.house.gov

Rep. Carol Miller (WV-01) – miller.house.gov

Rep. Greg Murphy (NC-03) – gregmurphy.house.gov

Rep. David Kustoff (TN-08) – kustoff.house.gov

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) – fitzpatrick.house.gov

Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17) – steube.house.gov

Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24) – tenney.house.gov

Rep. Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) – fischbach.house.gov

Rep. Blake Moore (UT-01) – blakemoore.house.gov

Rep. Beth Van Duyne (TX-24) – vanduyne.house.gov

Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04) – feenstra.house.gov

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) – malliotakis.house.gov

Rep. Mike Carey (OH-15) – carey.house.gov

Rep. Rudy Yakym (IN-02) – yakym.house.gov

Rep. Max Miller (OH-07) – maxmiller.house.gov

Rep. Aaron Bean (FL-04) – bean.house.gov

Rep. Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) – moran.house.gov