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HR9208119th Congress

HEAR Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

Introduced

Summary

A nationwide prohibition on the import, manufacture, sale, transfer, and commercial possession of firearm silencers and mufflers. The bill would also create a federally funded buy-back program and carve out narrow exemptions for government, law enforcement, and certain licensed nuclear operations.

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  • Private owners would be barred from engaging in interstate or foreign commercial transfer, sale, manufacture, importation, or possession of silencers and mufflers and could surrender them to a federal buy-back for compensation.
  • Federal, State, and local government agencies and qualified law enforcement officers, including defined campus law enforcement officers at Title IV-eligible private colleges, are exempt from the prohibition.
  • Licensed manufacturers and importers may possess silencers for testing or experimentation authorized by the Attorney General. Atomic Energy Act licensees and their employees or contractors may hold silencers for on-site security or authorized training and transport.
  • The Attorney General must set up a nationwide buy-back program using Byrne Grants and begin it within 90 days, and the bill adds the new prohibition to existing criminal provisions and enhances penalties for violations.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Nationwide silencer buy-back payments

If enacted, the bill would require the Attorney General to run a nationwide buy-back for firearm silencers and mufflers during the 90 days after enactment. Individuals could sell their silencers to the program for payment. The bill would allow Byrne Grant funds to pay people who surrender silencers under that buy-back. The statute does not set payment amounts or total funding.

Ban on silencers and mufflers

If enacted, the bill would make it unlawful to import, sell, make, transfer, or possess firearm silencers or mufflers that affect interstate or foreign commerce. The ban would start 90 days after enactment. It would still allow the United States, state and local governments, and qualified law enforcement officers (including certain campus officers) to have them. Violating the ban would be a crime and property tied to violations could be seized and forfeited.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

NJ • D

Cosponsors

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 6/8/2026

  • Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/8/2026

  • Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 6/8/2026

  • Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 6/8/2026

  • Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 6/8/2026

  • Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/8/2026

  • Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 6/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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