NRA, Gun Owners Gear Up for Controversial Firearms Legislation

By Beth Baumann

Republicans in Congress are tackling a new gun-related issue: how firearm suppressors should be regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA). Currently, anyone who wants to purchase a sound suppressor must undergo the NFA’s application process, pay a $200 stamp fee and wait a long period of time.

Under the Hearing Protection Act of 2017 (HPA), sound suppressors would be removed from the NFA and treated as a regular firearm under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA).

If passed, gun owners would still be required to undergo a background check, but they would no longer be required to pay the fee or wait months to purchase the suppressor. They would undergo a background check through the National Instant Background Check System (NICS) and, if approved, would be able to purchase and obtain their suppressor immediately. Should the legislation pass, those who purchased their suppressor after October 22, 2015, the day the legislation was introduced, would receive a refund of the $200.

HPA was first introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Jeff Duncan (R-SC) and John Carter (R-TX). Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced similar legislation in the Senate.

According to Representative Jeff Duncan, sound suppressors …Read the Rest

Source:: Bearing Arms