Last month, Representatives August Pfluger (R-TX) and Jared Golden (D-ME) introduced the bipartisan “Protecting Americans’ Right to Silence Act of 2024” (PARTS Act), H.R. 10145, which seeks to modernize and clarify the federal definition of firearm suppressors under the Gun Control Act. Supported by Silencer Shop and the American Suppressor Association (ASA), the bill is designed to address outdated regulatory language, streamline the purchase process for legal silencer owners, and protect against potential overreach by federal agencies.
Modernizing Suppressor Definitions
The PARTS Act proposes refining the definition of a suppressor to focus on complete devices and one principal component—similar to how a firearm’s frame or receiver is defined—instead of the current broad language, which includes “a combination of parts” or “any part intended only for use” in a suppressor. This change would provide clarity for manufacturers, retailers and consumers, allowing them to navigate regulations more effectively.
Chris Boeck, General Counsel for Silencer Shop, emphasized the importance of these updates:
“The PARTS Act introduces commonsense changes to the NFA definition of ‘silencer,’ ensuring that standalone parts like end caps, wipes, and adaptors are not improperly classified as silencers. We deeply appreciate Congressman Pfluger’s leadership in safeguarding Second Amendment rights and supporting the silencer community.”
Addressing Regulatory Overreach
The legislation directly responds to concerns raised in a November 2023 ATF open letter, which suggested individual suppressor components, such as end caps, could be classified as fully regulated silencers. By eliminating ambiguous language, the PARTS Act aims to prevent such regulatory overreach and ensure the industry has clear guidelines for compliance.
Knox Williams, President and Executive Director of the ASA, highlighted the significance of this clarification:
“Clarity in our laws is essential to protecting both manufacturers and consumers. The PARTS Act provides a practical solution to eliminate regulatory ambiguity and align federal law with current technology. We thank Congressman Pfluger for his leadership and are proud to support legislation that preserves the integrity of silencer technology and mitigates the risk of agency overreach.”
Simplifying the Purchase of Silencer Components
In addition to redefining suppressors, the PARTS Act seeks to simplify the purchase of consumable silencer components, such as wipes, by removing the requirement for additional ATF paperwork. This streamlined approach mirrors the purchasing process for other non-serialized firearm parts, making it easier for legal suppressor owners to maintain their equipment without unnecessary regulatory hurdles.
Co-sponsored by Representatives Darrell Issa (R-CA), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), and Lauren Boebert (R-CO), the bill underscores the importance of protecting consumer access to silencers while fostering innovation and supporting Second Amendment rights.
Protecting the Future of Suppressor Use
As silencer wait times reach historic lows and more Americans adopt suppressed shooting, the PARTS Act arrives at a critical moment. Advocates argue the legislation will safeguard consumer access, protect manufacturers from unpredictable regulatory changes, and encourage the continued development of suppressor technology.
The PARTS Act represents a bipartisan effort to modernize suppressor regulations, ensuring they reflect current technology while providing clear guidance for the industry and consumers alike. If passed, the legislation would mark a significant step in protecting the rights of legal suppressor owners and fostering innovation in firearm technology.
Too bad all the damage is done to the legit form 1 machine shops and ffls who were in this space.
Just deregulate supressors instead. They are a safety device that should be over the counter purchase products. At a bare minimum remove them from the NFA.
John Smith,
While your comment is spot-on, I do not expect fedzilla to ever remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act.
First of all, why would fedzilla voluntarily give up a hefty tax, a registry, and a way to ensnare people for suppressor crimes?
Second of all there is no way that legislation (to remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act) would achieve the 60 vote minimum requirement in the U.S. Senate (e.g. satisfy the U.S. Senate’s self-imposed Cloture rule).
All the senate has to do is include the language in budget reconciliation. But you would have to get the cowardly Republicans to support pushing that language since reconciliation bills deal with spending and revenue, and we all know the NFA ’34 was only a tax right?
Republicans are our friends, right? They fully support the Second Amendment, right?
No. Just deregulate them completely.
soooo…put a bandaid on the ‘injury’ and say its ok while its the ‘infection’ that’s killing you.
appreciate the effort, but the ‘bandaid’ does not address the ‘infection’ which is the real issue… that infection is that supressors should not be under NFA classified and regulated as ‘firearms’, there should be no special hoops to jump through, no tax stamp BS, no forms to fill out…should just be able to buy and have, period.
GOOD NEWS: ATF Director Resigns!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dLn8g8zcvs
GOOD NEWS: ATF Director Resigns!!!
h ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dLn8g8zcvs
Gotta say, I’m real curious about people who make modular suppressors and how this falls out for them. I’d hope that the end caps don’t screw on the individual units otherwise there may be a bunch of “suppressors” out there missing their serial numbers, doomed for a life of crime……..Or sitting in someone’s safe until it’s range day.
I’d look forward to this happening though, one of the reasons I haven’t gotten a form 1 and built anything yet is if I make baffles I can’t tinker with the design, which is what I really wish to do. I’m not looking for time in club fed, and it seems like it’s a difficult landscape to navigate for a DIYer currently. If it becomes simpler I may well put my paperwork in with the dog shooters.
Heads Gov Wins, Tails The People Lose. Suppressors, Silencers, the Legal Limbo Arguments US v Saleem.
h ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RthCZsxlVd4
Removing suppressor from nfa should goes hand in hands with aow/sbr and sbs.
If you have free acces to “silencer” you need short barrels too so they 3 must removed near time too.
Makers and sellers of oil filters rejoice.
Newsflash: most governments do NOT want clarity and DO want ambiguity in laws. That gives governments the greatest ability to keep the electorate off-balance.
By the way the can in the photo looks awfully small–is that a rimfire-rated suppressor?
BREAKING: Strong push (building) to address bird flu “pandemic” (scamdemic) erupts right before Trump set to take office.
h ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-MivTnwIm8
The Top 10 Hoaxes The (left wing) Propaganda Press Peddled In 2024.
h ttps://thefederalist.com/2024/12/30/the-top-10-hoaxes-the-propaganda-press-peddled-in-2024/
good list, they left off fascist for a day.
Seems like a whole lotta work to accomplish virtually nothing. Makes the ASA seem sorta sus. Like how do we maintain the status quo while convincing the people they’re getting something.
internally suppressed rimfires for everyone. buckets of .22lr at every shit n git.
“Shall not be infringed.”
EVERY “law”, is an infringement. Yet the lawyers, judges, and lawgivers allow monsters to live and be released to kill again.
Because crime and power is big business and a Free Citizen, infringes on their power and money potential.
The USA will not be close to safe to live again, until the monsters die daily in the USA, by the “law” and at the hands of the Free Citizens of the USA.
That’s a short term solution. Long term, the culture has to change.