I got this email from Angus King's office a few days ago. To say that I was surprised was an understatement.
Dear mattjedi,
I recognize that many gun owners utilize suppressors as a means to protect their hearing and improve accuracy through reduced recoil when hunting or recreational shooting, and I appreciate knowing of your interest in regulating suppressors under the same process as commercial firearms, as the Hearing Protection Act, S. 59, would do.
I understand the reason for including suppressors under the National Firearms Act (NFA) when it was passed in 1934, however, these regulations have not kept pace with the modern uses of suppressors and have not been changed since they were introduced. As you are likely aware, along with regulations and the understaffing of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), wait times on obtaining a suppressor can be up to or even exceed nine months. I believe a better solution would be to treat suppressors the same as commercially available firearms, as S. 59 would do, and should the bill come before the full Senate, I am inclined to support it in its current form. Thank you for your message, I appreciate knowing how strongly you feel about this issue; please be in touch if I may be of service in the future.
Best Regards,
ANGUS S. KING, JR.
United States Senator