Is a Major Suppressor Company Quietly Undermining the Hearing Protection Act?

There are growing concerns within the Second Amendment community about alleged behind-the-scenes lobbying efforts by Silencer Central, one of the nation’s largest suppressor manufacturers and distributors. According to multiple sources and recent federal lobbying records, the company may be working to keep suppressors regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA)—despite public support for the Hearing Protection Act (HPA), which seeks to remove them from the NFA entirely.

Here’s what’s unfolding:

• Inside sources claim Silencer Central has been lobbying members of Congress, including Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN), to remove the $200 tax stamp associated with suppressor purchases while keeping the suppressors classified as NFA items.
• Critics argue this move protects Silencer Central’s current business model, which relies on the NFA process to enable direct-to-consumer shipping—something that wouldn’t be allowed if suppressors were sold like standard firearms.
• Lobbying disclosures show the company paid tens of thousands of dollars to firms like Natural Resource Results LLC and RBW Group LLC to lobby for vaguely worded goals like “suppressor tax stamp conservation” and “regulation of suppressor purchases.”
• The timing of these lobbying efforts appears suspect—coinciding closely with the introduction of H.R. 404, the latest version of the Hearing Protection Act.
• While Silencer Central has issued a vague public statement claiming to support “reducing barriers” to suppressor ownership, it remains unclear whether they support full removal from the NFA.

Many in the firearms community, including industry influencers and advocacy organizations, are calling for transparency. They’re urging suppressor manufacturers to publicly and explicitly support the full version of the Hearing Protection Act, including Section 2, which removes suppressors from the NFA entirely.

This could be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to roll back one of the most burdensome firearm regulations. The bill is expected to pass the House and is moving to the Senate—where it could be passed via simple majority under reconciliation rules, bypassing the 60-vote filibuster threshold.

Actionable takeaway:

If you care about your Second Amendment rights and want to see suppressors removed from NFA regulation, now is the time to act. Call your representatives and senators at 202-224-3121, and voice your support for the full version of the Hearing Protection Act. Grassroots pressure is already having an effect—keep it going.