House OKs bill to roll back silencer law
The Tennessee legislature on Monday voted to roll back state prohibitions on firearm silencers and let federal regulations take precedent on ownership of silencers.
Silencers are legal at the federal level but highly regulated. Rep. Tilman Goins, R-Morristown, said there is an eight- to 12-month waiting period, $200 “tax,” and a background check required by federal authorities to buy a silencer. Under Tennessee law, they are prohibited.
“I’m simply trying to move the state of Tennessee out of the way,” he said. Goins and Sen. Steve Southerland, R-Morristown, sponsored the legislation.
Rep. Mike Stewart, D-Nashville, filed an amendment that would create a felony charge for using a silencer during a crime and impose a background check. The amendment failed.
Sponsors of the bill, nicknamed the “Tennessee Hearing Protection Act,” said it is meant to protect sportsmen’s hearing. They have said the bill has no nefarious intentions.
The House voted in favor of the bill 74-18, sending it to Republican Gov. Bill Haslam. The Senate approved the measure 28-1 last month.
There is a similar measure being discussed at the federal level that would also roll back regulations on silencers.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.