Sens. Cruz, Lee, Cornyn Introduce SHUSH Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and John Cornyn (R-Texas) this week introduced the Silencers Helping Us Save Hearing Act of 2021 (SHUSH Act), a bill to eliminate the unnecessary regulation of suppressors. The House companion legislation is sponsored by Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.).

Silencers are a non-lethal firearm accessory used by hunters, sportsmen, and marksmen to make shooting safer by reducing-though not completely silencing-noise, recoil, and muzzle blast.

Currently, citizens who wish to buy silencers must petition the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) through a tedious process that requires completing two copies of ATF Form 4, filling out TF Form 5330.20, obtaining a certification from a local chief law enforcement officer, obtaining two copies of finger prints, obtaining two passport photos, and mailing all of these items plus a $200 check to the ATF. After doing so, the approval process can take another 9-12 months. These requirements make the purchase of a non-lethal firearm accessory onerous and prohibitively costly.

Upon introduction Sen. Cruz said:

"Streamlining the burdensome process for obtaining a suppressor is important to protect the hearing of hunters and sportsmen across America. I'm proud to cosponsor this common sense legislation to protect the Second Amendment rights of law abiding gun owners."

Sen. Lee said:

"The current, oppressive process required to buy silencers only hurts the eardrums of millions of hunters, sportsmen, and marksmen each year, and serves to provide surreptitious gun control. The SHUSH Act would eliminate this onerous regulation to make a perfectly legal sport safer for millions of Americans."

Rep. Good added:

"I oppose regulating or taxing the People's right to keep and bear arms. No constitutional right should be at risk due to public opinion, or subject to regulatory and tax burdens. For the 2nd Amendment, this sentiment certainly extends to safety accessories for firearms. I am proud to join Senator Mike Lee in introducing legislation that would eliminate the current antiquated and overly complicated process for acquiring suppressors and ensure that their purchase is no longer subject to federal regulation."

BACKGROUND

Specifically, the bill eliminates federal regulation of silencers under the National Firearms Act (NFA) and the Gun Control Act (GCA), removing overly burdensome taxes, fees, and registration requirements. The bill removes current restrictions on the right to own, transport, transfer and use a silencer. If passed, it will work in conjunction with the Hearing Protection Act to achieve similar deregulation while additionally removing silencers from the Gun Control Act of 1968.

The bill is supported by the Gun Owners of America, the National Rifle Association, and the National Association for Gun Rights.

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