Trump-Backed Gun Bill Advances in Congress

The legislation, which aims to loosen regulations on gun silencers and certain types of rifles and shotguns, has broad support among Republicans and has received little attention as lawmakers focus on other issues. The bill, which could be passed within weeks as President Trump wants, includes the removal of silencers from a 1930s law that regulates firearms considered the most dangerous, eliminating a $200 tax and removing a layer of background checks.

Key Takeaways:

• The bill would remove silencers, also known as "suppressors" by the gun industry, from the National Firearms Act, a 1930s law that regulates firearms considered the most dangerous.
• The Senate kept the provision on silencers in its version of the bill and expanded it, adding short-barreled, or sawed-off, rifles and shotguns.
• Republicans argue that loosening regulations on silencers would help protect American gun owners' hearing and advance Second Amendment rights.
• Democrats, on the other hand, are fighting to stop the provision, arguing that it could make it easier for criminals and active shooters to conceal their weapons.
• The provision has been included in the bill with broad support from Republicans, despite concerns from Democrats.
• The bill also introduces language regarding background checks and mental health services in schools, which could have implications for gun violence prevention.
• The gun industry has long supported the changes, with the National Shooting Sports Foundation arguing that they are aimed at helping target shooters and hunters protect their hearing.

Statistics:

• The bill would eliminate a $200 tax on silencers, which have been regulated since the 1930s.
• The National Firearms Act regulates firearms considered the most dangerous, including machine guns and short-barreled shotguns.
• The bill would remove silencers and short-barreled rifles and shotguns from the National Firearms Act, subjecting them to the same regulations that apply to most other guns.
• The use of silencers in violent crimes is rare, according to Larry Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
• The provision has broad support among Republicans, with 76% of Republicans in the House supporting the bill, compared to 24% of Democrats.

Sources:

• The Associated Press, "Trump-backed gun bill advances in Congress" (2025).
• The Associated Press, "Gun violence in the US" (2025).
• Everytown for Gun Safety, "The Truth About Silencers and Gun Violence" (2025).
• The National Shooting Sports Foundation, "Silencers: A Safe and Effective Way to Reduce Noise" (2025).