Bill would strip federal registration rules from gun silencers
In committeeH.R. 850Latest action
Sponsor: Michael Cloud · Representative · TX
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: SHUSH Act
119th Congress
Topics: Crime & justice
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The SHUSH Act would remove the $200 tax, background check, and federal registration currently required to buy a silencer.
55-second read · 5 questions answered below
What does this do?
The SHUSH Act would remove silencers from the National Firearms Act's heavily regulated items list, eliminating the $200 federal tax, background check, months-long wait, and federal registration now required to buy one. Silencers would instead be treated like ordinary gun accessories such as scopes or grips. The bill would also block states and cities from imposing their own special taxes or registration requirements on silencers.
Who does it affect?
Gun owners seeking to buy silencers and dealers who sell them would face fewer federal restrictions and a simpler sales process. Federal agencies currently overseeing silencer registrations, including the ATF, would have a reduced oversight role.
Why does it matter?
People in states that currently ban or heavily restrict silencers could be affected, since the bill would remove some state-level rules, though states could still ban silencers outright through other laws. Federal agencies managing silencer registrations would see their role in overseeing these devices significantly reduced.
What does it cost, and who pays?
- $200 federal tax eliminated
- Refunds possible for post-2015 payments
- Tax applies per silencer transfer
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Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJan 31, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Jan 31, 2025
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.