SHUSH Act

Summary#

This bill would change how firearm silencers (also called suppressors or mufflers) are treated under several federal statutes.

Key changes in the text include:

  • Striking silencers out of a special category in the Internal Revenue Code so they are treated the same as other firearm accessories. The main change takes effect on the date of enactment, but transfers for the tax at section 5811 apply only to transfers after October 22, 2015.
  • Adding a rule that a person who acquires or possesses a firearm silencer in accordance with Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is to be treated as meeting any registration and licensing requirements of the National Firearms Act (as it existed the day before the bill’s enactment) for that silencer.
  • Preventing a State or local law from imposing a tax, or a marking, recordkeeping, or registration requirement, on making, transferring, using, possessing, or transporting a firearm silencer that affects interstate or foreign commerce.
  • Removing firearm silencers and mufflers from certain federal definitions and penalty provisions in title 18, and adjusting related concealed-carry provisions.

What it means for you#

  • If you make, buy, sell, own, or transport a silencer, the bill would change which federal code sections apply to silencers and would say they should be treated like other firearm accessories under the Internal Revenue Code.
  • The bill says people who acquire or possess a silencer lawfully under Chapter 44 of title 18 will be treated as having met National Firearms Act registration and licensing requirements as they existed the day before enactment.
  • States and localities could not enforce taxes or require markings, records, or registration for silencers that affect interstate or foreign commerce, according to the bill text.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill’s short title is the "Silencers Help Us Save Hearing Act (SHUSH Act)," which indicates supporters frame silencers as protecting hearing. No publicly available information about additional sponsor statements or detailed justification is included in the provided text.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.