It’s been almost 10 years since the first iteration of the Hearing Protection Act was introduced to the US Congress. Unfortunately, it has taken this long for the Hearing Protection Act to gain traction, but it may be signed into law in the near future.

The legislative process is a rapidly evolving and fluid process, so information regarding the Hearing Protection Act in its current form can change quickly. Let’s discuss what the Hearing Protection Act is and its current status as of June 1, 2025.

What is the Hearing Protection Act?

The original and primary goal of the Hearing Protection Act (HPA) is to remove silencers (also known as suppressors) from the National Firearms Act. This would eliminate the currently required $200 tax stamp and lengthy registration process. Instead, silencers would be regulated under the Gun Control Act. This would allow silencers to be acquired by simply passing a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check, the same background check required to buy a gun in the US.

Key Provisions of the Hearing Protection Act as of June 1, 2025

• Reclassification of Suppressors: The HPA seeks to remove silencers from the National Firearms Act (NFA). Removing the $200 tax stamp requirement and the lengthy registration process
• Destruction of Existing Records: Within one year of the Bill’s passing, the Department of Justice would be mandated to destroy all existing records related to suppressor registrations, transfers, and applications.
• Preemption of State Regulations: The HPA includes language to nullify any state or local laws imposing additional regulation or taxes related to the buying or owning of suppressors. This would ensure uniform regulation across all states.
• Taxation Changes: Suppressors would be subject to the 10% excise tax under the Pittman-Robertson Act. The same tax is currently imposed on all firearms and ammunition.

What is the Current Legislative Status of the Hearing Protection Act?

Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act has been included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This Act has passed the US House of Representatives and is currently being considered by the US Senate.

Condensed Timeline of the HPA

Senate Bill S.401, introduced by Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) on February 14, 2023, remains under consideration by the Senate Committee on Finance.

House Bill H.R. 404, Introduced by Representative Ben Cline (R-VA) on January 15, 2025, has been referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means and the Judiciary. Congress.gov

Inclusion in Reconciliation Bill: On May 22, 2025, the US House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which includes Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act. This section aims to remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA). The Bill is now awaiting consideration in the Senate.

Will the Hearing Protection Act Pass?

This is the best chance the Hearing Protection Act has had to pass into law since its original introduction back in 2015. Section 2 of the HPA is now included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act still has to get voted on by the Senate and then signed into law by the President. There is still a lot that can happen, but I’m optimistic that there is now a greater than 50% chance the HPA will be signed into law.

My Thoughts on the HPA

The current HPA isn’t perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction. And I’ll take any small wins I can get at this point.

The US should completely deregulate suppressors. Anyone should be able to go to Walmart, Amazon, or any retailer and buy one like you’d buy a pack of tube socks. They are simply metal tubes one can attach to a firearm. Without a host weapon, a silencer is entirely useless.

Some groups opposed to the HPA believe that making silencers easier to obtain will pose a public safety risk. And allow criminals to conceal their illegal activities. Most of you reading this are already aware of how ridiculous that argument is. There is nothing stopping criminals from already making and using silencers with parts available at local hardware stores, buying “solvent trap” kits from Temu, or 3d printing them.

Anyone who has used silencers knows they’re nowhere near as quiet as Hollywood would have you believe. Many firearms are not technically hearing-safe even when suppressed. Despite this, silenced guns cause dramatically less hearing damage than non-suppressed firearms.

Summary

The current HPA aims to reclassify suppressors by removing them from the NFA and regulating them like firearms. The House has passed the Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes section 2 of the HPA. The Bill now resides with the Senate. If things go as planned, the Senate will eventually approve the Big Beautiful Bill Act along with the included section 2 of the HPA, and it will be signed into law by the President.

I’m still cautiously optimistic at this point, but the Hearing Protection Act is the best thing to happen to suppressor regulation in a long time. I will rejoice if it gets passed into law.

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