Move that has left the nation reeling, Donald Trump could be on the verge of scrapping a firearms law that has stood for nearly a century. The former president has hinted at dismantling a 91-year-old restriction on firearm suppressors, a law originally introduced to combat gang violence during the Prohibition era.
Trump, known for his staunch defense of Second Amendment rights, previously lifted a 20-year ban on selling silencers to non-U.S. citizens—a restriction initially put in place in 2002 to prevent terrorists from obtaining American-made suppressors. Now, his administration is considering an even bigger step: rolling back Biden-era gun control measures and eliminating long-standing regulations on suppressors altogether.
Sources from The Reload report that Trump has instructed newly appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi to reassess federal firearms policies. The directive aims to identify and remove any gun restrictions deemed excessive, particularly those implemented under President Biden.
Biden’s sweeping gun control laws included stricter background checks for buyers under 21, funding for ‘red flag’ laws that remove firearms from individuals considered a threat, and closing the ‘boyfriend loophole’ to prevent domestic abusers from obtaining guns. However, gun rights activists view Trump’s latest move as a long-overdue correction to what they see as overreach by the federal government.
The Suppressor Debate Heats Up
A special license is currently required to purchase a suppressor, and buyers must pay a $200 tax stamp under the National Firearms Act of 1934. This law was originally enacted to curb organized crime, particularly high-profile incidents like the Valentine’s Day Massacre. However, critics argue that suppressors are widely misunderstood and should be more accessible to law-abiding gun owners.
According to the NRA Hunter’s Leadership Forum, suppressors reduce the noise of a gunshot by 20 to 35 decibels—far from the silent, Hollywood-style portrayal many believe. Hunters and sport shooters claim they protect hearing, reduce recoil, and make shooting safer overall. Mark Jones of Gun Owners of America emphasized that suppressors are essential for big game hunters looking to preserve their hearing without sacrificing performance.
In support of this effort, U.S. Rep. Ben Cline and U.S. Senator Mike Crapo are planning to reintroduce the Hearing Protection Act, which would reclassify suppressors to make them easier to purchase. Cline stated, “Americans who enjoy hunting and target shooting should be able to do so safely and legally without facing burdensome government regulations.”
The Internet Reacts
While gun rights advocates celebrate the possibility of fewer restrictions, not everyone is thrilled about Trump’s latest push. Social media users have taken to Twitter to voice their outrage, with one person posting, “Law-abiding citizens don’t need suppressors—nor a firearm.” Another sarcastically suggested, “If it hurts your poor lil ears, don’t shoot them.” Others argued that cheap foam earplugs would be a better alternative than firearm suppressors.
If Trump succeeds in rolling back the suppressor restrictions, buyers would no longer need a tax stamp, extensive paperwork, or long wait times. Instead, they could simply present an ID and complete a standard background check, potentially walking out of a store with a suppressor in minutes.
UNILAD has reached out to the White House for comment. Stay tuned as this story develops!
