Guns are useful, versatile tools. They’re owned by about 100 million Americans and help people protect themselves, put food on their tables, and just have fun. One drawback, though, is they’re loud.
Wouldn’t it be great if someone could invent something to reduce the sound they produce?
Just think of it. If guns could be made quieter, shooting them would be much safer for everyone involved. People who live near gun ranges wouldn’t be bothered as much. If a homeowner had to fire a gun inside their home in self-defense, they wouldn’t also have to risk permanent hearing damage.
Oh, wait. Someone has invented just such a tool. Way back at the beginning of the last century. But because of bottomless ignorance, never-ending prejudice, and a surplus of elected asshats who watch too many movies, suppressors in the U.S. are strictly regulated, heavily taxed, and take months to purchase.
In other words, the federal government actively disincentivizes their use, no matter how obviously beneficial they may be. Some states even outlaw them altogether.
After the failed attempt to pass the Hearing Protection Act back in the early days of the Trump administration, another version of the legislation has been introduced in the House this session. No one really thinks it has any chance of passage given Democrats’ control the Senate and the fact that it’s someone’s job to guide Grandpa Joe’s hand toward the veto line of bills that make sense.
Still, it’s nice to see that the American Doctors of Audiology — a group of medical professionals who actually care about Americans’ hearing — has come out in support of the act…for jaw-droppingly obvious reasons.
Here’s a press release from the American Suppressor Association . . .
The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), an independent medical group that focuses on evidence-based practices in the delivery of audio-vestibular care, has circulated a letter to Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC-03) and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) supporting the deregulation of suppressors through the Hearing Protection Act. Their rationale is simple: suppressors are a tool that can help prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and other hearing damage.
“As an independent medical group, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology has absolutely no vested interest in suppressors outside of the positive impact that they have on hearing conservation,” said Knox Williams, Executive Director of the American Suppressor Association. “Their endorsement of the Hearing Protection Act, which would give law-abiding citizens improved access to suppressors, highlights the importance of these tools when it comes to firearms safety. We applaud ADA for putting this letter together and actively supporting hearing conservation.”
Here’s the letter the ADA sent to Reps. Duncan and Crapo . . .
