This week, congress is likely to vote on the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act, legislation that removes silencers from the Internal Revenue Code’s definition of “firearms,” which could ultimately make it easier for individuals to purchase them without the background checks required for firearm buyers. It further eliminates a $200 tax on the sound suppressors.

In the past legislative session in Tennessee, Sen. Steve Southerland and Rep. Tilman Goins passed legislation to make silencers legal in Tennessee so that if federal restrictions are lifted, Tennessee dealers can begin selling silencers in our state.

Last night, gunfire rang out from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel. Thousands of concert goers immediately looked towards the sound of gun shots, ducking and running away from the direction of the sound. Had the shooter been using a rifle outfitted with a silencer, it would have been impossible for concert goers to identify his location.

This isn’t about protecting hearing. It’s about easing restrictions to sell a product that retails for anywhere from hundreds to well over a thousand dollars. This bill has been a primary focus of the National Rifle Association.

Seven of the SHARE Act co-sponsors are Tennessee congress members. Please contact them and tell them that you oppose legislation that could make it easy for criminals to obtain silencers. And, please contact your member of congress and tell them to vote no on the bill. You find your member of congress here.

Rep. Diane Black (6th District)
(202) 225-4231

Rep. Marsha Blackburn (7th District)
(202) 225-2811

Rep. Scott DesJarlais (4th District)
(202) 225-6831

Rep. John Duncan (2nd District)
(202) 225-5435

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (3rd District)
(202) 225-3271

Rep. David Kustoff (8th District)
(202) 225-4714

Rep. Phil Roe (1st District)
(202) 225-6356