Thank you for contacting me about H.R. 3799, the Hearing Protection Act of 2015. It is an honor to represent the people of Southwest Washington, and I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me.
As you know, H.R. 3799 would amend the National Firearms Act by reducing restrictions on the purchase of firearm silencers. These silencers, also known as suppressors, are often used to reduce noise and recoil a gun from firing a shot. If passed, this bill eliminates the $200 transfer tax on firearm silencers and refunds any tax on a silencer purchased after October 22, 2015.
As an ardent supporter of the Second Amendment, I will not only continue to work to protect the constitutional right of citizens to own and use firearms but also seek to ensure safety measures are available while exercising this right. Noise Induced Hearing loss is a severe risk to our men and women in the military, law enforcement officers, and recreational hunters. Thirty-nine states currently deem suppressors legal, and I believe that we need to ensure that responsible gun users, especially our servicemen and women, have access to resources that protect their physical wellbeing.
H.R. 3799 has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on the Judiciary. While I do not sit on these committees, I will be sure to keep your views in mind should this legislation come to the House floor for a vote.
Thank you for contacting me on this important issue. I invite you to visit my website at
www.JHB.house.gov for additional information or to sign up to be kept up to date on these issues. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Jaime Herrera Beutler
Member of Congress