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
U.S. Court of Appeals Backtracks on Adverse Suppressor Ruling

News  

Monday, June 23, 2025

U.S. Court of Appeals Backtracks on Adverse Suppressor Ruling

In a single sentence, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit added to the high-profile and consequential national conversation on firearm suppressors.

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).

2A News Out of New Jersey You Won’t Believe: It’s Actually a Good Thing!

News  

Monday, June 23, 2025

2A News Out of New Jersey You Won’t Believe: It’s Actually a Good Thing!

The Garden State is not where most seek positive developments regarding our right to arms, so we were pleasantly surprised when Englishtown, N.J., recently made a move to support the Second Amendment.

Switched Off: A Case Study on Minnesota’s Illegal Machine Gun Law

News  

Monday, June 23, 2025

Switched Off: A Case Study on Minnesota’s Illegal Machine Gun Law

There’s been a lot of noise of late about auto sears or so-called “Glock switches” – devices to convert a semiautomatic firearm into an automatic weapon. 

Update: Washington Post Fact Checks Misleading Ad Council “Children” and Firearms Talking Point

News  

Monday, June 23, 2025

Update: Washington Post Fact Checks Misleading Ad Council “Children” and Firearms Talking Point

Last week, NRA-ILA explained how a recent public service announcement campaign from the federally-funded Ad Council, and the gun control lobby more broadly, manipulates statistics to create misleading talking points about “children” and firearms.

DOJ Files Amicus Brief Supporting NRA-Backed Challenge to IL’s Ban on “Assault Weapons” and “Large-Capacity Magazines”

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

DOJ Files Amicus Brief Supporting NRA-Backed Challenge to IL’s Ban on “Assault Weapons” and “Large-Capacity Magazines”

Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an amicus brief in the Seventh Circuit supporting an NRA-backed challenge to Illinois’s prohibition on so-called “assault weapons” and “large-capacity magazines.”

Ninth Circuit Strikes Down CA’s One-Gun-A-Month Law

Friday, June 20, 2025

Ninth Circuit Strikes Down CA’s One-Gun-A-Month Law

Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that California’s law prohibiting people from buying more than one firearm in a 30-day period violates the Second Amendment.

Gun-Control Window Dressing: Chicago Inspector-General Calls Out Futility of Gun Offender Registry

News  

Monday, June 16, 2025

Gun-Control Window Dressing: Chicago Inspector-General Calls Out Futility of Gun Offender Registry

Fifteen years ago, the City of Chicago adopted a “gun offender registry” ordinance that requires convicted gun offenders to register with the police and have police monitor anyone listed in the registry. 

Rhode Island: Legislature Passes Semi-Auto Ban

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Rhode Island: Legislature Passes Semi-Auto Ban

After years of showing up at the Statehouse in huge numbers fighting against a drastic semi-auto ban, gun owners were rightfully upset when the Legislature finally pushed an amended version across the finish line to ...

Senate Finance Committee Releases Text of Reconciliation Bill

News  

Monday, June 16, 2025

Senate Finance Committee Releases Text of Reconciliation Bill

Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance released its portion of the Senate version of the Reconciliation Bill. Late last month, the U.S. House passed a version of the Reconciliation Bill which included Section 2 of the ...

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.