A new bill introduced by two Republican U.S. Senators would protect gun owners from overreach by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in regard to firearm suppressors of “silencers.”
The Protecting Americans’ Right to Silence (PARTS) Act, introduced by U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Montana, would modernize outdated federal regulations on firearm suppressors, providing much-needed clarity to manufacturers, retailers and law-abiding gun owners.
According to Sen. Cassidy, the ATF’s vague and outdated definition of “silencer” under the Gun Control Act could allow unelected bureaucrats to classify individual silencer components as regulated silencers, leading to unnecessary restrictions on gun owners and manufacturers. In 2023, the ATF issued guidance suggesting that even simple, unassembled parts could be considered regulated silencers—an overreach that threatens Second Amendment rights and stifles industry innovation.
The PARTS Act would help alleviate that potential overreach by updating the definition of ‘silencer’ to focus on complete devices and a single principal component—similar to a firearm’s frame or receiver—rather than broad, vague terms like “combination of parts” or “any part intended only for use” in a silencer. Additionally, it would ensure that gun owners could purchase replacement parts like wipes without burdensome ATF paperwork and prevent ATF from using subjective interpretation to unfairly target gun owners and businesses.
In a news release announcing the legislation, Sen. Sheehy said the measure addresses a problem that needs to be solved now.
“Montana is home to a proud firearms heritage and the most firearms and ammunition businesses per capita in the country,” he said. “The PARTS Act will go a long way in protecting this heritage and supporting businesses in Montana and across the country. I’m proud to lead this common-sense legislation to cut red tape and ensure Americans can exercise their Second Amendment rights safely and freely.”
Along with support from suppressor makers and the American Suppressor Association, the measure is also being backed by the National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and Firearm Regulatory Accountability Coalition.
Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF’s senior vice president for Government & Public Affairs, said it is long past time for Congress to pass a measure providing clarity and consistency on such an important issue.
“Sen. Sheehy’s Protecting Americans’ Right to Silence (PARTS) Act does just that by redefining ‘silencer’ to match the term’s generally accepted meaning of a complete firearm accessory,” Keane said. “The current definition of ‘silencer’ includes unfinished parts or replacement components. The current definition has not only led to confusion within the industry but also inconsistent and conflicting regulatory interpretations by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) officials. Sen. Sheehy’s legislation would create needed certainty, protect product innovation and design, and backstop against an overreaching ATF bureaucracy unnecessarily punishing the industry and consumers.”
Other U.S. Senators joining Sen. Cassidy and Sen. Sheehy in introducing the measure included Republican U.S. Sens. Steve Daines of Montana, Mike Lee of Utah, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, Ted Budd of North Carolina, Jim Justice of West Virginia and John Cornyn of Texas.
How about instead, “any firearms related component or assembly sold in the state of it’s manufacture will NOT be subject to any federal restriction or regulation”.
Would be nice, we have the votes for that?
Don’t have the votes for much of anything. Need 60votes in the Senate. But Republicans have two crazy harpies on “our side”. While the most, and only, sane dem is FETTERMAN!
Well nuts, hopefully will look a bit better in 26 and 28.
I they have the votes for this (attach to budget reconciliation) then change it to just a 4473 background check.
Juice ain’t worth the squeeze.
If
The Unfolding Leftist (domestic terrorism) Revolt ~ VIDEO.
https://www.ammoland.com/2025/03/the-unfolding-leftist-revolt/
I’m sorry, but why are they even ‘regulated’ anyway.
They should be exempt, period. There is no call for a 4473 for hunting knives, what’s the difference
Wait, I thought suppressors were not firearms so not protected by 2A, well, if that’s the case, they have no place on the NFA.
Make up your mind people.
So much regulatory hoopla over an inert tube that in any other application would be mandated.
Why aren’t we just following the approved leftist playbook of states ignoring federal laws, individuals firebombing.the feds when they come to enforce their will then have right wing celebrities bail them out if arrested?
Once the left and the right start playing by identical rulesets the country as we know it can officially dissolve because what’s the point.
We first have to dismantle The Federal Department of Redundancy Department of The United States – the one that sets up the requirements that at least four agencies must be involved with the taxing and approval of any and all regulated product. On the user side we have BATFE, FBI, US Treasury, IRS
(NFA Trust), and others. On the manufacturer side add in ITAR, NHTSA(yes, shipping regs), FTC, ETC, ETC.
Car mufflers? The last one I bought came in a box from China with USDOT and CARB approval stamped on the box, nothing on the product itself other than a sku number.
If US gun owners aren’t voluntarily funding the R&D and production infrastructure of the PLA, who do you think is going to?
“and John Cornyn of Texas. ”
Somebody doesn’t want to get primaried.
Yeah, that crusty old fck should just retire and fade away – what’s his approval rating this week ?… in the 30s? Can someone from Texas let us know if you consider Paxton or Hunt to be a better option… or the new boss same as the old boss ?
“Report: Kash Patel to Cut ….” “The ATF has about 2,600 agents and more than 5,000 employees”
h ttps://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2025/03/23/report-kash-patel-to-cut-as-many-as-1000-atf-agents/
HELL NO, Discharge 2500 ATF agents (with prejudice) the other 100 can work on illegal booze/smokes.
Then fire most of the FBI “special agents (with prejudice). Lab rats, counter intell, international crime is about all that is legitimate. Move the remaining parts to other agencies and consign the Hoover legacy to the dustbin of history.
Rename the FBI headquarters “Ruby Ridge Memorial” or the “Vicki Weaver Building”.
The job of kicking in doors and shooting people for silent guns has been given over to the FBI.
Why not just reintroduce the Hearing Protection Act?
More removal of retardation and the same chance of passing.