Attorney General Fitch plans to pursue legislative changes in 2027 to remove references to federal law from within the Mississippi state code. ASA is proud to work alongside Attorney General Fitch to advance these necessary changes to Mississippi law and protect the Second Amendment rights of Mississippians. The fight doesn't end with a court victory. ASA is working to ensure these victories can be enjoyed by everyone.

🚨BREAKING: According to the Mississippi AG: "it is our opinion that ATF Form 4 for suppressors is voluntary for Mississippians." Thank you for your leadership @LynnFitchAG! We look forward to working with you and your team to clarify the law during the 2027 legislative session!

Today, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) released its long-awaited guidance on how suppressors may be transferred using ATF Form 4473 following the landmark ruling in Jensen v. ATF. The new guidance takes effect immediately. This victory started with ASA. We led the effort to eliminate the $200 tax in the One Big Beautiful Bill, then used that win to bring Jensen v. ATF with our partners at the NRA, SAF, FPC, and TSRA and take down the registration requirements the tax had propped up. What the guidance says: Who is covered: Everyone. The court’s injunction covers only the plaintiffs, their members, and their customers, but the Department of Justice is using its enforcement discretion to apply the same policy nationwide. How transfers work: Like any other firearm. You fill out a Form 4473 and pass a NICS background check at your dealer. ATF no longer requires a Form 4, prior approval, or registration. What dealers need to do: Complete a Form 4473, run NICS, and keep the same records required for any other firearm. Sales are limited to residents of the dealer’s state. Dealer-to-dealer transfers no longer require a Form 3. Dealers, manufacturers, and importers must still pay the special occupational tax (SOT). What hasn’t changed: State law still applies. If suppressors are restricted in your state, this guidance does not change that. Some states only allow suppressors that are registered under federal law, and dealers may not make a transfer that violates state or local law. For that reason, ATF will continue to accept and approve Form 4s from anyone who chooses to register. ATF also cautions that this policy could change. Unregistered suppressors would not automatically be grandfathered if enforcement resumed. When in doubt, talk to your dealer before you buy.

Is the NFA really going away? A major court victory in Jensen v. ATF has brought us one step closer, but the fight isn't over. With suppressors now being transferred on Form 4473s in at least 27 states, we're witnessing the beginning of a historic shift in suppressor rights. But important questions remain about the scope of the ruling and what comes next.

In 2023, ASA continued the fight for suppressor rights through legislative action and litigation. On February 6, ASA testimony singlehandedly defeated Senate Bill 171’s attempt to ban suppressors in New Mexico. Following ASA’s testimony, the bill’s primary sponsor amended the legislation on the spot, removing suppressors from the anti-gun measure. On February 27, the American Suppressor Association Foundation (ASA-F) and Silencer Shop helped file the first ASA Foundation-backed constitutional lawsuit challenging a state suppressor ban. Anderson v. Raoul challenged Illinois’ ban on suppressor ownership and possession as an unconstitutional violation of the Second Amendment.

Education starts with firsthand experience. Last week, the ASA spent time with members of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), teaching them how suppressors reduce firearm noise. Then they took that education to the range, where ADA members experienced suppressed firearms firsthand. That shared commitment to hearing conservation helped lead ASA and ADA to establish Ear SHIELD Day, recognized annually on October 2. The message is simple: Suppressors + Hearing Protection = Insulated Ears and Lower Decibels. Two organizations. One shared goal: protecting hearing.

On June 1, 2022, Vermont Governor Phil Scott (R) signed ASA-backed S. 281 into law, making Vermont the 41st state to allow the use of suppressors while hunting. The pro-suppressor provision was carried by former Representatives Pat Brennan (R) and George Till (D). The law, which included a two-year sunset provision, took effect on July 1, 2022. Another major step forward for suppressor rights - and another ASA-backed victory.

Today marks the inaugural Ear SHIELD Day. The American Suppressor Association and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology have joined together to establish October 2 as an annual day dedicated to raising awareness about firearm-related hearing loss and the importance of protecting your hearing every time you shoot. The message is simple: Suppressors + Hearing Protection = SHIELD
Insulated Ears, and Lower Decibels Firearm noise can cause immediate, permanent hearing damage. Suppressors can significantly reduce noise exposure, but they do not make firearms quiet. That’s why Ear SHIELD Day encourages shooters to pair suppressors with properly fitted hearing protection. Academy of Doctors of Audiology President Jill Davis, Au.D., said:  “Ear SHIELD Day gives every audiologist a simple, evidence-based message to share with patients: use a suppressor and wear hearing protection, every time.” ASA President and Executive Director Knox Williams said:  “Suppressors are hearing safety devices, plain and simple.” ASA and ADA are also calling on policymakers to remove remaining barriers to suppressor access and recognize hearing conservation as a public health priority.

On June 8th, Maine Governor Janet Mills (D) signed L.D. 635 into law, legislation introduced by former Senator Trey Stewart (R–Aroostook). The law repealed Maine’s requirement that hunters obtain a permit from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) before hunting with a firearm suppressor. Another step forward for suppressor hunting in The Pine Tree State.

In 2020, the American Suppressor Association led a massive fight in Virginia to defeat House Bill 961, which sought to ban suppressors in the Commonwealth. Working alongside the NRA, ASA spent months on the ground in Richmond fighting to strip suppressors from the legislation. The result: suppressors were removed, and HB 961 was ultimately defeated in its entirety.

In July 2019, the Virginia General Assembly convened a special session to consider gun control measures, including a bill to ban suppressors. ASA led opposition to the measure during the special session and again at the Virginia State Crime Commission hearings on August 20th, helping defeat the initiative until the next legislative session.

During the 115th Congress, ASA continued to spearhead efforts to remove suppressors from the NFA alongside former Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-3) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID). By the end of 2018, the Hearing Protection Act had gained significant support, with 166 cosponsors in the House and 18 cosponsors in the Senate.

Following former Rep. Matt Salmon’s (AZ-1) retirement, ASA worked with former Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-3) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) to strengthen and reintroduce the Hearing Protection Act (HPA). The HPA language was later incorporated into the SHARE Act, which successfully passed the House Natural Resources Committee on September 13th.

ASA continued building momentum in 2016, expanding suppressor hunting and ownership while taking the fight beyond U.S. borders. On February 11, Michigan became the 38th state to allow suppressor hunting after the Natural Resources Commission approved an ASA-backed amendment, with support from the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. On March 31, former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed House File 2279, making Iowa the 42nd state to legalize suppressor ownership and 39th to allow suppressor hunting. The bill was carried by Rep. Matt Windschitl and former Rep. Terry Baxter, with support from the Iowa Firearms Coalition. ASA also worked with former U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart to introduce the Suppressor Export Act, aimed at opening international markets to American suppressor manufacturers. On June 10, then-Governor Maggie Hassan signed House Bill 500, making New Hampshire the 40th state to allow suppressor hunting. The bill was introduced by former Rep. John Burt and championed by former Rep. Jeff Goley and the New Hampshire Sportsmen’s Caucus, with support from ASA sponsor SIG SAUER. Three more states. Expanded ownership. A push into international markets. The fight kept moving forward.

A look back at major ASA-backed legislative victories: OHIO: On March 23rd, ASA-backed House Bill 234 took effect, making Ohio the 34th state to legalize suppressor hunting for all animals. The bill was signed into law by former Governor John Kasich (R) on December 19th, 2014, and sponsored by former Rep. Cheryl Grossman (R-23) and former Rep. John Becker (R-65). The effort was actively supported by the Ohio Speech and Hearing Governmental Affairs Coalition (OSHGAC) and the Buckeye Firearms Association. MONTANA: On April 24th, former Democratic Governor Steve Bullock signed House Bill 250 into law, making Montana the 35th state to fully legalize suppressor hunting. After vetoing similar legislation in 2013 due to a misunderstanding of suppressors, Gov. Bullock later wrote a letter asking former Speaker of the House Austin Knudsen to amend HB 250 to legalize suppressor use on all game animals after ASA helped debunk common myths and misconceptions. MINNESOTA: On July 1st, ASA-backed Senate File 878 took effect, making Minnesota the 40th state to allow civilians to own and possess suppressors and the 36th state to allow hunters to use them. The legislation was carried by former Rep. Tony Cornish (R-23B) and former Rep. Mark Anderson (R-09A). VERMONT: On July 2nd, ASA-backed H. 5 took effect, making Vermont the 41st state to legalize private possession of suppressors. The legislation was carried by former Rep. Patrick Brennan (R-Chittenden) and former Sen. John Rogers (D-Essex/Orleans) and signed into law by former Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin on June 17th. MAINE: On October 15th, ASA-backed Legislative Document 942 took effect, making Maine the 37th state to allow hunters to use suppressors. The legislation was sponsored by former Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason (R-22) and former Rep. Stephen Wood (R-57), with active support from the Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine, and Gun Owners of Maine. These victories represent years of legislative work, education, and collaboration to advance suppressor ownership and hunting laws across the country.

A huge thank you to Cole-Tac and everyone who supported their recent ASA promotion! For four days, Cole-Tac donated 30% of proceeds from suppressor cover sales to the ASA - raising nearly $7,000 to support ASA’s work. This support directly strengthens our efforts as we continue the fight to end the NFA and secure lasting freedom for suppressor owners.

Protecting access and preserving America’s hunting heritage for future generations is a priority. President Trump’s new Executive Order, “Reinvigorating America’s Hunting Heritage,” takes significant action to expand hunting and shooting opportunities on Federal lands, improve public access, support hunter education and youth recruitment, promote healthy game populations, and protect the use of traditional ammunition. For ASA, these actions represent a significant commitment to America’s sportsmen and our hunting heritage, reminiscent of the conservation legacy of Theodore Roosevelt. We were honored to join President Trump in the Rose Garden for a dinner celebrating America’s Great Outdoorsmen and our nation’s hunting, shooting, and outdoor traditions. A huge thank you to President Trump for hosting us and to the team at OPL for putting together a phenomenal event.