Gun Owners of America is rallying behind Republican-sponsored legislation that would not only remove suppressors from the purview of the National Firearms Act (1934), but would also remove the background check requirement from their sale.
The legislation–Silencers Helping Us Save Hearing Act (SHUSH Act)–is sponsored by Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Mike Crapo (R-ID).
GOA executive director emeritus Larry Pratt has long warned against background checks for gun sales, which he views as an unconstitutional infringement whereby the government inserts itself between the people and the exercise of a God-given right. He told Breitbart News, “We view background checks for gun sales as unconstitutional and we would view background checks for free speech as unconstitutional as well.”
With Pratt’s position understood, it only makes sense that he–and GOA more largely–would oppose requiring background checks for devices that are not firearms. Therefore, they are rallying behind the SHUSH Act.
GOA’s Erich Pratt said:
Gun Owners of America applauds Republican Senators Mike Lee of Utah and Mike Crapo of Idaho along with Republican Congressman Steve King of Iowa for introducing the “Silencers Helping Us Save Hearing Act” (SHUSH) Act. The SHUSH Act would not only remove suppressors (a firearm muffling device) from federal regulations, but also treat suppressors as any other firearm accessory – free from the infringing background check process. GOA believes this Act will not only benefit hunters and sport shooters, but also take much needed steps for gun owners to restore the Second Amendment.
On January 9, Reps. Jeff Duncan (R-SC-3) and John Carter (R-TX-31) introduced the Hearing Protection Act. It, too, is designed to remove suppressors from the purview of the National Firearms Act (1934). However, it retains a background check requirement for those purchasing suppressors.
AWR Hawkins is the Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and host of Bullets with AWR Hawkins, a Breitbart News podcast. He is also the political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.