Hearing Protection Act
Sponsored By: Senator Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced
Summary
Removes silencers from the federal definition of 'firearm'. This bill would reclassify silencers and mufflers, create new marking and tax rules, preempt some state and local limits, and require destruction of current federal silencer records.
Show full summary
- Owners and possessors: Lawful silencers held in line with Chapter 44 of Title 18 would be treated as meeting National Firearms Act registration and licensing requirements. All silencer registrations and any transfer or making applications in the federal silencer registry must be destroyed within 1 year.
- Manufacturers and importers: They would have to mark silencers and mufflers with a serial number on the outer tube or primary housing, with a process to request a marking variance that the Attorney General must generally grant. The bill would add a 10% federal excise tax on silencers and mufflers for sales in calendar quarters starting more than 90 days after enactment.
- State and local governments: The bill would prevent state or local taxes that single out silencers and would preempt local marking, recordkeeping, or registration rules that conflict with the federal approach.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
10% excise tax on silencers
If enacted, the bill would add firearm silencers and mufflers to items taxed at 10 percent. The tax would apply to items first sold by manufacturers, producers, or importers. It would start the first calendar quarter that begins more than 90 days after enactment. Businesses typically pass excise taxes to buyers, so purchasers would likely pay higher prices.
New federal rules for silencers
If enacted, the bill would set a federal definition for firearm silencers and mufflers. People who acquire or possess silencers under chapter 44 would be treated as meeting National Firearms Act registration and licensing. The Attorney General would destroy federal silencer registrations and certain transfer and making applications within 365 days. States could not impose special taxes or extra marking, recordkeeping, or registration rules on silencers. Licensed importers and manufacturers would need serial-number markings on each silencer's outer tube, unless they get a variance. Certain transfer and possession bans that apply to rifles and shotguns would also apply to silencers and mufflers.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
ID • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
ID • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Markwayne Mullin
OK • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
OK • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
FL • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
KS • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
ND • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
TN • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
John Boozman
AR • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV]
WV • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
SC • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]
NE • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
MT • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Cindy Hyde-Smith
MS • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
NE • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
WY • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
KS • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
MT • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Roger Wicker
MS • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
John Hoeven
ND • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
AR • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
MO • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Ron Johnson
WI • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
TX • R
Sponsored 2/27/2025
Dan Sullivan
AK • R
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Katie Britt
AL • R
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
IA • R
Sponsored 6/2/2025
Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH]
OH • R
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov