Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

Study on Noise Exposure Suggests Firearm Owners Would Benefit from Better Access to Suppressors

Friday, April 14, 2017

Study on Noise Exposure Suggests Firearm Owners Would Benefit from Better Access to Suppressors

Gun owners should always make sure to use proper hearing protection when operating firearms. Unfortunately, evidence from a recent study published in The Laryngoscope, a medical journal that specializes in head and neck disorders including otolaryngology, revealed that many shooters do not employ adequate hearing protection while exercising their Second Amendment rights. While some of the study’s findings are discouraging, the prevalence of excess noise exposure during the recreational use of firearms underscores the importance of pending legislation that would increase access to firearm suppressors.

Titled, “Epidemiology of firearm and other noise exposures in the United States,” the study sought to determine the prevalence of harmful noise exposure in the workplace and in recreational activities, and the frequency with which individuals use hearing protection in these settings. In regards to firearms, the study found that 58.5 percent of adults that had used a firearm in the previous 12 months “always used hearing protection.” Further, the study reported that 21.4 percent “never used hearing protection.” The study’s authors point out that noise exposures from shooting and similar activities without hearing protection have “potentially serious long-term hearing health consequences.”   

As part of our mission to train and educate gun owners in the safe handling of firearms, NRA has been adamant about the importance of the proper use of hearing protection. As NRA-ILA pointed out in a recent Grassroots Alert item, even when shooters employ ear plugs or ear muffs for hearing protection, they must be vigilant to ensure to avoid user errors that can degrade the performance of these devices.

The results of the study, and the drawbacks of some widely used hearing protection options, show the importance of increasing access to firearm suppressors. In January, versions of the Hearing Protection Act of 2017 were introduced in the Senate by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and in the House by Representatives Jeff Duncan and John Carter (R-Texas). So far the Senate legislation has garnered 13 co-sponsors, with the House version picking up 136. The legislation has also become a passion project of Donald Trump Jr., who is an avid shooter and hunter. 

This important safety legislation would remove suppressors from coverage under the National Firearms Act, which requires prospective purchasers to complete a lengthy background check procedure and pay for a $200 tax stamp. Under the proposal, suppressors would be governed by the same rules that pertain to non-NFA firearms.

Even with NRA’s consistent message about the importance of hearing protection, the Laryngoscope study suggests that not all gun owners are adequately protecting themselves from the health consequences of noise exposure. While ear plugs and ear muffs are important tools in this battle against hearing loss, expanding access to suppressors will increase the safety options for shooters reluctant to employ other methods of hearing protection. 

Please make sure your U.S. senators and congressional representative hear from you on the Hearing Protection Act to protect Second Amendment rights and the health of the American gun owner. It is long past time to discard America’s antiquated and unsupported approach to suppressor regulation.  You can contact your member of Congress via our Write Your Reps tool by clicking here or use the Congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

 

 

TRENDING NOW
One Big Beautiful Bill Clears Senate, and Heads Back to House

News  

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

One Big Beautiful Bill Clears Senate, and Heads Back to House

Earlier today the U.S. Senate passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” This bill contained a provision that would, among other things, eliminate the burdensome $200 excise tax imposed by federal law on suppressors, short-barreled firearms, and “any ...

U.S. Senate Adds Pro-Gun Tax Relief Language Back into Reconciliation Bill

News  

Saturday, June 28, 2025

U.S. Senate Adds Pro-Gun Tax Relief Language Back into Reconciliation Bill

Overnight, the U.S. Senate added pro-gun tax relief language back into the Reconciliation bill after the Senate Parliamentarian struck out an earlier provision.  While this new provision is not as expansive as the language we advocated for which ...

Congress Passes the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Now Headed to President Trump

News  

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Congress Passes the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Now Headed to President Trump

Earlier today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” This bill contained a provision that would, among other things, eliminate the burdensome $200 excise tax imposed by federal law on suppressors, short-barreled firearms, ...

U.S. House Sends Reconciliation Bill to President Trump

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, July 3, 2025

U.S. House Sends Reconciliation Bill to President Trump

NFA Tax on Suppressors, Short-Barreled Firearms, and Other Arms Reduced to $0

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Armed Churchgoers Prevent Mass Attack as State Lawmakers Plot More Gun Control

News  

Monday, June 30, 2025

Armed Churchgoers Prevent Mass Attack as State Lawmakers Plot More Gun Control

Just over an hour away from the state capitol in Lansing, Michigan – even as lawmakers worked feverishly to pass various gun control measures, including expansion of “gun free” zones – a chilling reminder unfolded of the ...

Urge the U.S. Senate to Pass the One Big Beautiful Bill – Contact Your U.S. Senators Today!

News  

Monday, June 30, 2025

Urge the U.S. Senate to Pass the One Big Beautiful Bill – Contact Your U.S. Senators Today!

The U.S. Senate has cleared a number of procedural hurdles and is preparing to vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill. This vote will likely come within the next day. The One Big Beautiful Bill includes ...

Canada’s Big Ugly Gun Grab: An Update

News  

Monday, June 30, 2025

Canada’s Big Ugly Gun Grab: An Update

Canada’s Liberal government is pressing on with its harebrained gun ban and confiscation program for “assault style weapons,” but, true to form and precedents, it has been far from smooth sailing.

U.S. Senate Forced to Remove Pro-Gun Language from Reconciliation Bill

News  

Friday, June 27, 2025

U.S. Senate Forced to Remove Pro-Gun Language from Reconciliation Bill

Today, the U.S. Senate was forced to remove the pro-gun language that had been previously included in the Reconciliation Bill currently making its way through the chamber. We explained in a previous article that this language would, ...

North Carolina: Update on Gun Bills Moving through the General Assembly

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

North Carolina: Update on Gun Bills Moving through the General Assembly

Recently, House Bill 193 (H193) was reported favorably out of both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Rules Committee, with amendments.

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.