Donald Trump is once again stoking a firestorm of controversy with his proposed amendments to the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1935, which has been in effect for nearly a century.

The NFA, which was initially implemented during the Prohibition era, placed stringent restrictions on the sale and use of gun suppressors, which are frequently referred to as silencers, as The Daily Mail reported.

Trump has since directed newly-appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi to review all gun regulations in the United States, including this long-standing legislation, as a result of an executive order signed earlier this month.

The executive order issued on February 7 declared Trump's intention to “end the federal government’s violation of Americans’ fundamental Second Amendment right to protect themselves, their families, and their freedoms.”

The Push for Silencer Deregulation

Insiders have disclosed that Trump may be advocating for the complete repeal of the ban on suppressors, a development that has left both supporters and detractors in awe.

For an extended period, gun rights advocates, including the American Suppressor Association (ASA), have maintained that suppressors are indispensable for safeguarding the hearing of gun owners and enhancing the accuracy of their shots.

ASA President Knox Williams applauded Trump’s move, saying, “On behalf of millions of law-abiding gun owners, we’d like to thank President Trump for his fearless leadership to protect our Second Amendment rights.”

ASA Stance

Suppressors do not render weapons silent, as the American Shooting Sports Association is eager to clarify.

“They are simply mufflers for firearms,” states the ASA’s website, which explains that suppressors work by trapping expanding gasses at the muzzle and allowing them to cool slowly.

Advocates also contend that suppressors reduce recoil, minimize noise complaints from neighbors, and enhance the "humaneness" of hunting by facilitating more accurate shot placement.

Just months after a near-death experience during a Pennsylvania rally in July 2024, Trump is advocating for the deregulation of silencers.

Trump Not Deterred

The former president narrowly evaded an assassination attempt after shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks took a shot at his head.

Trump's unwavering commitment to his pro-gun position, despite this harrowing event, has both supporters and opponents scratching their heads.

The purchasing process for suppressors could be considerably simplified if Trump's proposal is implemented.

Buyers are required to pay a $200 transfer tax fee, submit to a thorough background check conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and be a resident in one of the 42 states where suppressors are lawful, according to current legislation.