Donald Trump may be poised to revoke a nearly century-old firearms law, sparking widespread reaction.
The former president has suggested repealing a 91-year-old regulation on firearm silencers, originally enacted to combat gang violence during the Prohibition era.
This follows his previous decision to lift a 20-year ban on selling silencers to non-U.S. citizens during his first term, a restriction implemented in 2002 to prevent American-made silencers from reaching terrorist organizations.
The Trump administration contends that loosening gun laws supports American manufacturers and aligns with the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
Last month, Trump directed newly appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi to review federal firearms policies, focusing on rolling back what he sees as improper restrictions, particularly those imposed under Biden, according to The Reload.
Biden’s comprehensive gun reforms introduced stricter background checks for buyers under 21, funding for ‘red flag’ laws to confiscate firearms from individuals deemed a threat, and the closing of the ‘boyfriend loophole’ to prevent those convicted of domestic abuse from owning a gun.
Gun-rights advocates, however, view Trump’s move as a potential step toward lifting restrictions on silencers, something many believe is long overdue, Cowboy State Daily reports.
Suppressors, which are attached to rifles, help reduce noise levels by trapping blast pressure and gases at the muzzle. According to the NRA Hunter’s Leadership Forum, they typically lower the sound of a gunshot by 20 to 35 decibels.
Gun owner Adam Ashmore told *The Daily Mail* that while his AR-15 produces a loud crack when fired, a suppressor makes it sound barely louder than a .22 rimfire rifle. “The public watches movies and thinks it’s completely silent, but it’s not like that,” he explained.
Mark Jones, director of Gun Owners of America, also defended suppressors, arguing that big game hunters use them to protect their hearing. Supporters further claim suppressors help reduce rifle recoil.
In support of this, U.S. Rep. Ben Cline and Senator Mike Crapo plan to reintroduce the Hearing Protection Act.
Cline stated, “Americans who enjoy hunting and target shooting should be able to do so safely and legally without facing burdensome government regulations. The Hearing Protection Act will reclassify suppressors, making it easier for law-abiding gun owners to protect their hearing while enjoying recreational activities.”
However, not everyone is on board. Many have taken to social media to criticize the proposed policy change.
One Twitter user wrote, “Law-abiding citizens don’t need suppressors, nor a firearm.”
“If it hurts your poor lil ears, don’t shoot them,” another posted.
Others suggested simple earplugs as a more practical alternative, with one commenter noting, “50-cent foam earplugs work just as well as a firearm suppressor.”
The National Firearms Act of 1934 imposes a $200 tax stamp on suppressors, classifying them as restricted weapons and accessories.
To obtain one, owners must undergo a lengthy application process and secure a special license. Once acquired, the suppressor cannot be loaned to other hunters.
According to the ATF, the law’s primary goal was “to curtail, if not prohibit, transactions in NFA firearms.” The agency states: “Congress found these firearms to pose a significant crime problem due to their frequent use in criminal activities, particularly gang-related crimes of that era, such as the Valentine’s Day Massacre.”
If the law is repealed, buyers would no longer face extensive regulations or additional costs. Instead, they would only need to present identification and complete a standard background check, a process that typically takes just a few minutes in-store.
