Pfluger, Golden Introduce Bill to Protect Americans' Right to Silence

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) introduced the bipartisan Protecting Americans' Right to Silence (PARTS) Act to ensure that the rights' of American gun owners are protected. Specifically, this legislation would amend the statutory definitions of firearm silencers and mufflers to eliminate the potential misinterpretation that could lead to the criminalization of these lawful firearm accessories.

Under current law, the definition of a silencer has caused confusion and concern among both law-abiding citizens and manufacturers alike. The definition needs to be amended and clarified to avoid mistakenly categorizing individual components as silencers themselves, which would lead to the criminalization of these accessories.

"Silencers and mufflers are utilized by our military personnel, law enforcement, and recreational shooters to make using firearms safer," said Congressman August Pfluger. "Unfortunately, unclear rules have made it easier for ATF to try and criminalize these tools used by law abiding gun owners in America. This bipartisan legislation is critical to clarify these rules to prevent blatant overreach and protect the Second Amendment for Texans and all Americans alike.

"Unclear rules make it harder for responsible gun owners to accurately follow the law," Congressman Jared Golden said. "That's an unfair burden for Americans, and it doesn't make anyone safer. This is necessary work to clarify the ATF's poorly-written suppressor rule and reaffirm Mainers' Second Amendment rights."

Rep. Pfluger's bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Jared Golden (ME-02), Ben Cline (VA-06), Michael Rulli (OH-33), Mike Ezell (MS-04), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Brian Babin (TX-36), Riley Moore (WV-02), and Mike Collins (GA-10).

Text of this legislation is available here.

Rep. Pfluger's bill is supported by Silencer Shop, American Suppressor Association, Congressional Sportsman Caucus, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

Chris Boeck, General Counsel, Silencer Shop said, "We're thrilled to collaborate with Congressman Pfluger's office on this transformative legislation. The PARTS Act introduces commonsense changes to the NFA definition of 'silencer,' ensuring that standalone parts like end caps, wipes, and adaptors are not improperly classified as silencers. We deeply appreciate Congressman Pfluger's leadership in safeguarding Second Amendment rights and supporting the silencer community."

Knox Williams, President & Executive Director, American Suppressor Association said, "Americans should not be subject to onerous and complicated bureaucracy to safely exercise their rights. Our laws must provide greater clarity to consumers, manufactures, and retailers of firearm suppressors.The PARTS Act will reduce regulatory ambiguity and will better align federal law with current technology. On behalf of the suppressor community, the American Suppressor Association applauds Representative Pfluger's leadership and is proud to support this legislation that will benefit the suppressor industry and all law-abiding gun owners."