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H.R. 775House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

SHUSH Act

Sponsored by Steve KingRep. Steve King (R-IA)
Introduced January 24, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:59 AM UTC

The SHUSH Act would change how firearm silencers are treated under federal law. It would make silencers subject to the same tax and regulatory treatment as ordinary firearm accessories, and it would remove many of the special registration, licensing, and criminal penalties that currently apply to them. The bill also blocks states from imposing their own taxes or registration requirements on silencers.

Key Provisions

  • Amends the Internal Revenue Code so silencers are no longer listed as a separate taxable item; they are treated like other firearm accessories for tax purposes.
  • Specifies that anyone who acquires or possesses a silencer in compliance with existing federal law is considered to have met any National Firearms Act registration and licensing requirements for that silencer.
  • Preempts any state or local law that tries to tax, register, mark, or otherwise regulate silencers in connection with interstate or foreign commerce.
  • Removes silencers and mufflers from the list of weapons that trigger certain federal criminal penalties, effectively de‑regulating them at the federal level.
  • Makes minor adjustments to related sections on concealed carry for qualified law‑enforcement and retired officers to align with the new treatment of silencers.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee

March 5, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 24, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Ways and Means Committee

January 24, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee

March 5, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 24, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 775

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 24, 2019

Mr. King of Iowa introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To provide that silencers be treated the same as firearms accessories.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Silencers Help Us Save Hearing Act or the SHUSH Act.

2.

Equal treatment of silencers and firearms

(a)

In general

Section 5845(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking (7) any silencer and all that follows through ; and (8) and inserting ; and (7).

(b)

Effective date

(1)

In general

Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the amendment made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2)

Transfers

In the case of the tax imposed by section 5811 of such Code, the amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to transfers after October 22, 2015.

3.

Treatment of certain silencers

Section 5841 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following:

(f)

Firearm silencers

A person acquiring or possessing a firearm silencer in accordance with Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, shall be treated as meeting any registration and licensing requirements of the National Firearms Act (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this subsection) with respect to such silencer.

.

4.

Preemption of certain State laws in relation to firearm silencers

Section 927 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, a law of a State or a political subdivision of a State that, as a condition of lawfully making, transferring, using, possessing, or transporting a firearm silencer in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, imposes a tax on any such conduct, or a marking, recordkeeping or registration requirement with respect to the firearm silencer, shall have no force or effect..

5.

Silencers and mufflers not to be Federally regulated

(a)

Definitions

Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (3), by striking (C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or (D) and inserting or (C); and

(2)

by striking paragraph (24).

(b)

Penalties

Section 924 of such title is amended—

(1)

in subsection (c)(1)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)(B)(ii) by striking , or is equipped with a firearm silencer or firearm muffler; and

(B)

in paragraph (1)(C), by striking or is equipped with a firearm silencer or firearm muffler,; and

(2)

in subsection (o), by striking or is equipped with a firearm silencer or muffler,.

(c)

Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified law enforcement officers

Section 926B(e)(3) of such title is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (A), by adding and at the end;

(2)

by striking subparagraph (B); and

(3)

by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B).

(d)

Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified retired law enforcement officers

Section 926C(e)(1)(C) of such title is amended—

(1)

in clause (i), by adding and at the end; and

(2)

by striking clause (ii).