The Hearing Protection Act: A Game-Changer for Hunters and Shooters

iSportsman Staff

In a significant move for the firearms community, the U.S. House has passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes the Hearing Protection Act—a legislative effort aimed at deregulating suppressors—in the overall bill. If passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Donald Trump, the law could profoundly benefit hunters and shooters everywhere, who are keen on preserving their hearing, reducing noise levels for surrounding communities where they shoot and creating an overall better recreational shooting and hunting experience.

Suppressors, often misunderstood due to Hollywood portrayals as tools of assassins and people bent on doing harm, do not render firearms silent as many people think. Instead, they reduce the noise level of gunshots by approximately 20-35 decibels, bringing the sound down to safer levels without eliminating it entirely. Even when subsonic ammunition is used, there is still an audible pop. This reduction is crucial for preventing hearing damage, a common issue among hunters and recreational shooters, particularly as they age.

The current process of acquiring a suppressor involves paying a $200 National Firearms Act (NFA) tax stamp, completing extensive paperwork through an FFL and a sometimes lengthy waiting period that has been shortened greatly in the past year thanks to electronic approvals. By removing suppressors from the NFA, the Hearing Protection Act aims to streamline this process, making it more accessible for law-abiding citizens to obtain them.

Suppressors on rifles are common in Europe where they are not regulated. In fact, in Europe, it is sometimes considered rude to shoot without one. U.S. advocates argue that making suppressors easier to purchase not only promotes hearing safety but also enhances the overall shooting experience, especially for new recreational and target shooters who may be initially intimidated by the loud sound of gunfire. For competitors or people on a range, the ability to communicate quietly and effectively without the need for bulky hearing protection can be a game-changer. Moreover, reduced noise levels can minimize disturbances to wildlife and nearby communities.

While the bill passed the House by a single vote, it now awaits consideration in the Senate. Supporters are optimistic, citing the bill’s alignment with Second Amendment rights and public health benefits. However, opponents express concerns about potential misuse and the implications for public safety, and even Senate Republicans, who hold the majority in that chamber, object to many aspects of the larger bill and vow to reject it pending a major rewrite of a number of provisions, few of which at the time seem to be focused on the Hearing Protection Act.