Bill Seeks to Improve NFA Wait Times on Silencers
Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT) and Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME) introduced the Tax Stamp Revenue Transfer for Wildlife and Recreation Act to reallocate the funds generated from the NFA (National Firearms Act) tax stamps to wildlife conservation and expedite processes at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Under the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA), all applicants seeking to transfer a silencer are required to undergo a background check and pay a $200 tax stamp. This funding is currently deposited into the U.S. Treasury without any specific direction, even though total revenues generated from this tax are expected to approach $200 million this year (2023).
The Tax Stamp Revenue Transfer for Wildlife and Recreation Act would strategically allocate these taxes to both support wildlife conservation and recreation and expedite ATF processing. Specifically, 15% of the total revenue would go to the ATF’s NFA division, aimed at expediting the processing of silencer applications by the ATF’s National Firearms Act (NFA) division to a maximum of 90 days. This allocation aims to address the lengthy waiting periods faced by applicants, which can currently extend up to a year despite recent efforts to streamline the process.
The remaining 85% would be split further: 85% would be allocated to the Pittman Robertson Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund to support wildlife conservation, law enforcement, hunter recruitment, and other related lawful activities, while 15% would be provided for the development, maintenance, and operation of recreational shooting ranges. These dedicated ranges enhance safety, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to the recruitment and retention of ethical hunters and shooters.
History of NFA Reform Bills
There have been several attempts to reform the process around purchasing NFA items, specifically silencers. The ill-fated Hearing Protection Act of 2015 was one such bill that had the support of the American Suppressor Association, ASA, and a few silencer companies but did more to hurt the industry than help it. Consumers stopped purchasing silencers, thinking they could be bought without wait times or tax stamps once the bill passed. This was fueled by the ASA all but assuring people that the bill would pass.
It is now 2023, and the Hearing Protection Act has been reintroduced multiple times with little to no support. This is partly because the silencer companies have already been burned once. The other reason is it never stood a chance with no major groups backing it. Even when the bill was introduced under the Trump administration, nothing happened, even though the argument was Trump Jr. was a gun guy.
What makes the Tax Stamp Revenue Transfer for Wildlife and Recreation Act different is the broad support from multiple organizations in the industry that are not manufacturers of silencers. Several conservation groups have signed onto the bill, which will help with traction. Unlike the HPA, this new bill is just a reallocation of tax dollars to speed up NFA wait times instead of trying to remove silencers from the NFA.
“I am pleased to introduce this important bill that underscores our commitment to conserving America’s natural heritage, investing in outdoor recreation, and making ATF’s processes for law-abiding citizens more efficient,” said Congressman Blake Moore (UT-01). “This bill represents a transformative step in funding our nation’s wildlife conservation while streamlining federal processes.”
“By paying fees for licenses and equipment, Maine outdoorsmen have sustained our state’s recreational opportunities for generations,” said Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02). “Applying this same principle to the sale of accessories like silencers will increase consistency with the law, bolster conservation efforts in Maine, and make the background check process more efficient and effective.”
“This bill dedicates significant resources that would accelerate wildlife conservation and restoration efforts, such as habitat improvement, research and education. It’s a powerful commitment to conservation. It also improves ATF application efficiency, which will improve processing time for those seeking to legally obtain a suppressor.” -Joel Ferry, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources
“The Tax Stamp Revenue Transfer for Wildlife and Recreation Act is a great opportunity to advance conservation and recreational shooting in this country by applying the revenue to areas that the consumers support. The additional funding for conservation will further advance the mission of the Mule Deer Foundation: ensure the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat. The Mule Deer Foundation is proud to be a supporter of this legislation and we thank Congressman Moore and Congressman Golden for their leadership on this issue.” -Joel Pedersen, President and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation
“SAM-ILA applauds the introduction of the Tax Stamp Revenue Transfer for Wildlife and Recreation Act. Conserving Maine’s wildlife by utilizing all the best hunting heritage tools that can generate the money to pay for them is always the best policy. Thank you Congressman Golden and Congressman Moore.” -David Trahan, Executive Director Sportsmans Alliance of Maine Institute for Legislative Action
“The Tax Stamp Revenue Transfer for Wildlife and Recreation Act will provide the single most consequential benefit to America’s wildlife, hunters and recreation that the Pittman Robertson Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund has received since it was signed into law in 1937, cementing the North American model of wildlife conservation for the next hundred years. I thank Congressman Moore and Congressman Golden for their leadership and for their commitment to conservation and America’s sportsmen.” -Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central & Congressional Sportsmen Foundation Board of Directors
“The Tax Stamp Revenue Transfer for Wildlife and Recreation Act is no-nonsense legislation that will keep pace with the user-pays wildlife conservation efforts that have made the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation the envy of the world. Increasingly greater numbers of hunters use suppressors to harvest wild game, as it is legal to do so in 41 states. Suppressors are a safety tool that protects hearing and reduces noise pollution. This legislation is in keeping with the modern application of suppressors to ensure the taxes paid for suppressors are applied to wildlife conservation, recreational shooting range construction and improvements and reducing the lengthy processing backlogs for suppressor approval by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Firearm and ammunition manufacturers fulfill a critical role funding wildlife conservation and this bill would bring the taxes paid by suppressor customers into those same vital efforts.” -Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel
“Delta Waterfowl is proud to support the Tax Stamp Revenue Transfer for Wildlife and Recreation Act. This bill will provide a major boost to hunter supported conservation of America’s ducks and waterfowl habitat across the four North American flyways. Delta recognizes the leaders of this bipartisan effort, Representatives Moore and Golden, and offers its support to pass this bill into law.” -John Devney, Chief Policy Officer of Delta Waterfowl
“The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies thanks Representatives Moore and Golden for their steadfast support for conservation. Building on the proven success of the Pittman-Robertson Act will strengthen the partnerships between hunters, target shooters, and manufacturers that enable state agencies to manage healthy habitats, ensure abundant wildlife populations, and provide accessible outdoor recreational opportunities for the public.” -Chuck Sykes, Director of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
“The Tax Stamp Revenue Transfer for Wildlife and Recreation Act will provide a significant plus up to the Pittman-Robertson account for the purposes of bolstering recreational shooting opportunities and enhancing wildlife conservation. Moreover, the legislation will provide ATF with the resources they need to process firearm suppressor applications in a timely manner. We are thankful for Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member Rep. Moore and CSC Vice Chair Rep. Golden for introducing this legislation that will support our hunters, target shooters, and our state fish and wildlife agencies through expanding Pittman-Robertson.” -Jeff Crane, President and CEO of the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation
“Safari Club International applauds the introduction of the Tax Stamp Revenue Transfer for Wildlife and Recreation Act. Expediting ATF processing while directly benefiting conservation is a win-win for all hunters and wildlife. Thank you Congressman Moore for your leadership.” -Ben Cassidy, Executive Vice President, Safari Club International
“For more than 80 years sportsmen and women have funded conservation through their purchases. We applaud Reps. Moore and Golden for this innovative bill that will build upon this tradition and commit additional resources to restoring wildlife habitat and supporting state-level professional wildlife management.” -Collin O’Mara, CEO of the National Wildlife Federation
“TRCP appreciates Rep. Moore and Rep. Golden for their leadership to increase funding for conservation through the Tax Stamp Revenue Transfer for Wildlife and Recreation Act. This bill will help fund projects that support abundant wildlife populations and public access for hunting and fishing.” -Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
As of the time of this publication, the American Suppressor Association has not given their support for this bill.
Jeremy Mallette is co-founder of International Sportsman. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he has spent more than a decade in the outdoor industry, from hiking and camping to silencers and hunting. His father taught him to shoot at age six, and he received his first firearm at age eight — a 1942 Colt Commando .38 special revolver. He enjoys yearly trips to Kansas for pheasant hunting, spending time with his children at the deer lease, and collecting unique firearms.