NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, applauds the Trump administration's posting of rules by the Commerce Department and State Department for public inspection to transfer export licensing of firearm silencers, commonly referred to as suppressors, to the Commerce Department from the State Department, finishing the U.S. Munitions List to Commerce Control List (USML to CCL) transition, a process that the first Trump administration bgan in 2020.
The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) issued coordinated rules that remove suppressors from the USML and place them on the CCL. Export Control Reform (ECR) was initiated by the Obama administration to move export licensing of dual-use products of all types. The Obama administration completed the ECR for all other industries, but for antigun political reasons it refused to complete the reforms for the firearm industry (USML Categories I, II and III, pertaining to firearms, ammunition and accessories). NSSF led the charge for the USML to CCL transition for over a decade. Under the first Trump administration the transition occurred, but unfortunately suppressors remained on USML, until today.
"The Final Rules are a tremendous boost to ensure American suppressor manufacturers can compete on an even playing field in overseas markets without burdensome and unnecessary regulatory burdens imposed on exporting USML items that made commercial export of suppressors economically impractical," said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel. "These reforms will make American suppressor manufacturing an international competitor for what is essentially a muffler for a gun. In most of the world, recreational marksmen and women and hunters typically use suppressors that they can buy at a local hardware store or sporting goods retailer. American manufacturing will now more readily compete for that business. NSSF is grateful to the Trump administration, the Commerce Department's BIS and the State Department's DDTC for their attention in this matter."
Recently, Congress removed the onerous $200 tax imposed on the purchase of a suppressor. Unfortunately, suppressors remain on the National Firearms Act (NFA). NSSF supports the Hearing Protection Act (HPA), federal legislation to remove suppressors from the NFA. Suppressors do not completely silence a firearm as often depicted in popular culture. The report of a firearm is reduced to below the 140-decibel threshold where instant and permanent hearing loss is inflicted.
About NSSF: NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org.