WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) in reintroducing the Hearing Protection Act (HPA), which would reclassify suppressors to regulate them like a regular firearm. The measure would benefit America’s recreational gun users and provide them better access to hearing protection equipment. 

“Anti-gun activists are weaponizing regulatory tactics to limit Americans’ abilities to exercise their Second Amendment rights, as well as their access to a standard safety instrument. Our bill would roll back red tape for North Dakota’s hunters, sportsmen, and firearm owners who use simple modifications to protect their hearing without stepping on state laws or removing background check requirements,” said Senator Cramer.  

“The Hearing Protection Act will benefit Idaho’s sportswomen and men by ensuring they have access to adequate hearing protection while hunting and participating in other recreational shooting sports,” said Senator Crapo. “Law abiding Americans enjoying the recreational freedoms provided under the Second Amendment should not have to wade through overly-burdensome regulations in order to protect their hearing.”

On average, suppressors diminish the noise of a gunshot by 20-35 decibels, roughly the same sound reduction provided by earplugs or earmuffs. The most effective suppressors on the market can only reduce the peak sound level of a gunshot to around 110-120 decibels, which is roughly equivalent to a jackhammer.

If passed into law, the HPA would:

  • Reclassify suppressors to regulate them like traditional firearms.
  • Remove suppressors from regulation under the NFA.
  • Replace the overly-burdensome federal transfer process with an instantaneous National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check, making the purchasing and transfer process for suppressors equal to the process for a rifle or shotgun.
  • Tax suppressors under the Pittman-Robertson Act instead of the NFA, putting more funding into state wildlife conservation agencies.
  • Not change any laws in states that already prevent suppressors or get rid of the requirement for a background check.  

Joining Senators Cramer and Crapo are Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Roger Wicker (R-MS), John Boozman (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Steve Daines (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Kennedy (R-LA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Rick Scott (R-FL), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Ted Budd (R-NC), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Josh Hawley (R-MO).

Click here for bill text.