The suppressor world just got hit with its biggest news in decades. For the first time ever, a chamber of Congress has voted to strip suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA). That’s right—Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act made it into the House-passed One Big Beautiful Bill.
This isn’t just big. It’s HUGE!
Knox Williams of the American Suppressor Association (ASA) broke it down in their May 2025 policy update. The bill passed the House on May 22, and it includes a provision that fully removes suppressors from the NFA.
That means no more $200 tax, no more Form 4 delays, no more federal registry. Suppressors would finally be treated like standard firearms under the Gun Control Act.
“This is the biggest legislative victory for the Second Amendment community in my lifetime,” said Williams, who’s been lobbying for pro-2A causes for 14 years.
The ASA didn’t do it alone. A massive coalition of nearly 40 groups—including the NRA, GOA, SAF, Safari Club International, and even medical orgs like Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership—pushed Congress hard in the final days. They called, emailed, and showed a united front. Congress listened.
But before you crack open the celebratory bourbon, know this: it still has to clear the Senate.
The bill now faces what’s called the “Byrd Bath,” a budget rules test named after Sen. Robert Byrd. Since this bill is moving through the reconciliation process, every provision must be fiscal in nature. That means it has to affect the budget. Thankfully, removing the $200 suppressor tax fits the bill perfectly.
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Suppressors have always been caught in a tax trap. The NFA is, at its core, a revenue-generating law—and that’s exactly how the Supreme Court upheld it in U.S. v. Sonzinsky in 1937. Section 2 changes the tax code, so it’s fair game in reconciliation. If the Senate Parliamentarian agrees, the bill moves forward.
ASA is urging everyone to visit hearingprotectionact.com to contact their senators. They’ve made it easy—25 seconds, one form, your voice counted.
Meanwhile, suppressor wait times are dropping fast. According to ATF data, eForm 4s for individuals in April averaged just 9 days, and Silencer Shop reports a 7-day median wait time. But if this bill becomes law, wait times will be a thing of the past.
Not every state is making progress. Massachusetts and New York tabled or defeated bills to legalize suppressors. But litigation is heating up in Illinois, where ASA is challenging the state’s ban.
And private industry is stepping up too—Rugged Suppressors just committed $40,000 to ASA’s advocacy work.
Bottom line: this may be the most important moment for suppressor freedom in U.S. history. But the Senate is the final boss.
Let’s finish the fight. Get cans out of the NFA—once and for all.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
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– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
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