HOUSTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) introduced the Protecting Americans Right to Silence (PARTS) Act, which would modernize the definition of “silencer” to ensure gun owners can safely exercise their Second Amendment rights without fear of criminalization:

“No law-abiding American should have their Second Amendment rights violated because of outdated language or bureaucratic red tape,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This commonsense bill would modernize the definition of a firearm silencer, and I’m glad to support it.”

The legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Lee (R-UT), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Jim Justice (R-WV).

Background:

The current definition of “silencer” under the Gun Control Act could be interpreted to classify each individual component of a silencer as a silencer itself, leading to potential overreach through unconstitutional rulemaking. The Protecting Americans Right to Silence (PARTS) Act would redefine the term “silencer” to focus on complete devices and a single principal component — similar to a firearm’s frame or receiver — rather than broad terms like “combination of parts” or “any part intended only for use” in a silencer. The bill would also streamline the purchase of consumable silencer parts, such as wipes, without requiring additional paperwork from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

 The bill is supported by Silencer Shop, American Suppressor Association, National Rifle Association (NRA), National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, and Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition.