Hearing Protection Act – If the bill doesn’t pass

At AXIL keeping our community informed about important topics that is important to us. We’ve written a 4 part piece on the Hearing Protection Act so you can stay informed.

Hearing Protection Act Part 1: Overview

Hearing Protection Act Part 2: What you should know

Hearing Protection Act Part 3: What if it passes as a bill

Hearing Protection Act Part 4: What if it doesn’t pass

In order to legally own and possess a suppressor there’s a lot of time, paperwork, and fees that are required. The Hearing Protection Act has the potential to change all that for the benefit of firearms owners everywhere in the US. Hearing loss is a common occurrence for those involved with firearms. Even with using proper hearing protection, those pesky high decibels can sneak through and permanently damage parts of your inner ear. There’s plenty of other examples such as in a realistic life or death scenario. If you have to shoot, move, and communicate with others it’s going to prove to be incredibly difficult while your hearing is stunned. Having an easier, yet still legal, method to obtain these items would enhance survivability and create a healthier lifestyle with shooting. Read more about the signs of hearing loss.

Suppressors along with other “taboo” firearm items fall on a list under what’s known as the National Firearms Act (NFA). This was created all the way back in the early 1930’s by Congress as a way to curb gun violence. As any legal, law-abiding gun owner understands, no matter the law a criminal will always find a way. Criminals are deemed as such due to the fact of them not following said laws. Now obviously there needs to be some process in order to separate those whom are entrusted to such tools, and those that are not. However, that process shouldn’t always need to take an unnecessary amount of time, nor should it need to cost additional fees. The question is more or less, why can’t decibel reducing devices on firearms be affordable and accessible the same as a typical firearm?

Those whom are unfamiliar with firearm ownership don’t understand the actual facts of accessibility. Every time you decide to purchase a firearm, you have to go to your local firearms store. These stores have what’s knowns as a Federal Firearms License (FFL). All FFL’s have records of all of their firearms that they can sell on their premises. If you decide you want to purchase one, you have to fill out a 4473 form that asks for your full name, legal address, license info, and a list of questions. After you fill out this form, the FFL will perform a FBI background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Depending on your name and their ability to match your information, you may be able to walk out the door with your firearm that day or it may take up to a week. This is unlike a suppressor that requires a $200 Tax Stamp for every new purchase. The background check and processing time for a single Tax Stamp can take up to 12 months.

Regardless, if the HPA fails to pass legislation yet again, suppressors will still be accessible just with a high cost and the same long wait time. Your hearing isn’t something that can wait any longer. The HPA needs to pass in order to have a healthier and safer time with your firearms. When it comes to hearing protection Axil has some of the most innovative electronic hearing protection devices on the market. If electronic protection isn’t in your budget and you’re looking for top of the line hearing protection plugs check out the Axil earplug products