Donald Trump may soon revoke a nearly century-old firearms law, sparking widespread reaction.
The president has suggested he could eliminate a 91-year-old regulation on firearm suppressors, originally enacted to combat gang violence during the Prohibition era.
This development follows Trump’s earlier decision during his first term to end a 20-year ban on selling suppressors to non-US citizens. That restriction had been in place since 2002 to prevent terror organizations from acquiring American-made silencers.
The Trump administration argues that lifting firearm restrictions benefits American manufacturers and aligns with the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
Last month, Trump instructed newly appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi to review federal gun laws and identify any improper restrictions, particularly those implemented under the Biden administration, according to The Reload.
Biden’s gun control measures introduced stricter background checks for buyers under 21, funding for “red flag” laws to remove firearms from individuals deemed a threat, and the closing of the “boyfriend loophole” to prohibit those convicted of domestic abuse from owning guns.
Gun-rights advocates see Trump’s latest move as a sign that he is accelerating efforts to remove suppressor restrictions, which some believe are long overdue, as reported by Cowboy State Daily.
Suppressors, which are attached to rifles, work by trapping blast pressure and gasses at the muzzle, reducing gunshot noise by 20 to 35 decibels, according to the NRA Hunter’s Leadership Forum.
Adam Ashmore told The Daily Mail that while his AR-15 normally produces a loud crack when fired, using a suppressor lowers the sound to a level barely louder than a .22 rimfire rifle.
He explained that contrary to popular belief shaped by movies, suppressors do not make firearms completely silent.
Mark Jones, director of Gun Owners of America, stated that suppressors help big game hunters protect their hearing, while other supporters argue they also reduce rifle recoil.
In line with this, US Representative Ben Cline and US Senator Mike Crapo plan to reintroduce the Hearing Protection Act.
Cline emphasized that Americans who enjoy hunting and target shooting should be able to do so safely and legally without excessive government regulations. He added that the act would reclassify suppressors, making it easier for responsible gun owners to protect their hearing while participating in recreational activities.
However, not everyone supports the potential policy change, with many voicing their opposition on social media.
One user argued that law-abiding citizens have no need for suppressors—or even firearms. Another mocked the concern over noise, saying if gunfire is too loud, people simply shouldn’t shoot. Others suggested that inexpensive foam earplugs would be a better solution than firearm suppressors.
The National Firearms Act of 1934 currently requires suppressors to be registered under a $200 tax stamp for restricted weapons and accessories.
Owners must go through an extensive application process, face long wait times, and obtain a special license before acquiring one. Additionally, they are prohibited from lending their suppressors to other hunters.
According to the ATF, the law was originally intended to limit, if not completely prevent, transactions involving National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons.
Congress determined that these firearms posed a significant crime threat, citing their frequent use in criminal activity, particularly in notorious gangland incidents like the Valentine’s Day Massacre.
If Trump succeeds in repealing the law, buyers would no longer have to deal with these regulations or added costs. Instead, they could simply provide identification and complete a quick background check in-store, a process that usually takes only a few minutes.
