The American Suppressor Association (ASA) has been working with Congressman Rep. Matt Salmon and the NRA. Last week, they have introduced a piece of legislation called the Hearing Protection Act (HPA). ASA, NRA, and Salmon are trying to remove suppressors from the purview of the NFA and replacing it with a standard NICS check and eliminate the $200 tax stamp. By having suppressors ownership go thru a NICS background check, only lawful citizens can purchase them. This will only apply to the states where suppressors are legal. Sorry California, NY, and all the other states that do not allow suppressors. But it is good news for the rest of us.

I wish them all the luck and good fortune in this endeavor. However I have my doubts it will pass. Simply the fact that the government will not relinquish a source of income as lucrative as the $200 tax stamp on suppressors. I think a compromise could be made if the ATF wanted to keep their $200. Rather than tax the buyer, just tax the manufacturer for every serial number they register. The government gets their money and we don’t have to bother with the long processing time. Sort of like keeping the cost of luggage and meal in the cost of an airplane ticket, I would not complain as much. So what if the suppressor cost is an additional $200? We pay that already to have them. Sure I would like them to be cheaper and not have to pay the $200, but will that actually happen? Doubtful, but I can dream and hope.

For more information go to ASA’s website.