Suppressors, or as Hollywood likes to say, “silencers” are legal in the United States, but for whatever reason, they fall under the strict guidelines of the National Firearms Act that requires a boatload of extra paperwork, a significant waiting period and the purchase of a $200 “tax stamp.”
That’s all so your ears don’t bleed when blasting your Desert Eagle into paper targets.
But why do suppressors fall under the National Firearms Act?
Today, most people will say it’s because “silencers are an assassin’s tool” but back in 1934 when the NFA was passed, that was not the case.
First suppressors were barely effective in 1934.
However, tensions between coal miners and wealthy coal companies were at their peak of effectiveness.
To disarm the peasant miners, Congress passed the act that includes restrictions on short-barreled shotguns, suppressors, short-barreled shotguns, “machine guns” and the bill originally included pistols. Congress had to pull pistols from the act after increased outrage.
The move was designed to benefit the wealthy coal companies and their goons. Miners could not pay the $200 tax stamp ($3,600 today), but the coal companies could.
Advantage: coal companies.
Fast-forward 83 years and the law is still on the books for no reason.
Today, you’ll get a fine for driving around a car without a muffler, but if you put a muffler on your gun without permission, you’ll end up in prison.
To fight the stupidity, a group recently posted a petition on WhiteHouse.gov to request the repeal of the National Firearms Act.
The petition reads:
We the People wish to see the National Firearms Act of 1934 repealed in order to remove regulations on our 2nd amendment rights, increase national economic strength, and provide protection against threats to our national security.
The group needs to obtain 100,000 signatures by February 19th to get a response from the White House and President Trump.
Unfortunately, 2,350 people have signed on.
Would you sign? Comment below.