President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” is poised to remove decades-old restrictions on gun silencers and short-barreled firearms, delivering a double victory for Second Amendment supporters and fiscal conservatives by July 4th.
Key Takeaways
- The GOP tax bill would eliminate the $200 tax and extra background checks for silencers that have been in place since the 1930s
- Senate version expands deregulation to include short-barreled rifles and shotguns, removing them from National Firearms Act restrictions
- Republicans frame the provisions as protecting gun owners’ hearing and restoring Second Amendment rights
- Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, oppose the measures and are attempting to remove them through parliamentary review
- President Trump aims to sign the comprehensive tax reform and deregulation package by Independence Day
Tax Reform Meets Second Amendment Rights
The Republican tax bill making its way through Congress represents more than just financial reform—it’s a significant victory for gun rights advocates. The legislation would remove silencers from the National Firearms Act of 1934, eliminating both the $200 tax and additional background checks currently required for these devices. In the Senate version, the deregulation extends further to include short-barreled rifles and shotguns, providing comprehensive relief from regulations that Republicans have long argued infringe upon constitutional rights. This provision represents the GOP’s commitment to both fiscal responsibility and Second Amendment protections in one comprehensive package.
Republican lawmakers have emphasized that these regulations place an undue burden on law-abiding gun owners while serving little public safety purpose. The $200 tax, established nearly 90 years ago, was originally designed to make these items prohibitively expensive for the average citizen. When adjusted for inflation, that amount would equal thousands of dollars today, effectively creating a financial barrier to exercising Second Amendment rights. Supporters of the bill argue that removing these Depression-era restrictions aligns with President Trump’s broader agenda of cutting unnecessary regulations and taxes that hamper individual freedoms.
GOP tax bill would ease regulations on gun silencers and some rifles and shotgunshttps://t.co/aeNAFfHT4b pic.twitter.com/QeRDloK10Y
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) June 24, 2025
Republicans Champion Hearing Protection and Constitutional Rights
The push to deregulate silencers, more accurately called suppressors in the firearms community, has been framed by Republicans as a matter of hearing protection for gun owners. These devices don’t completely silence firearms as often portrayed in movies, but rather reduce the sound to levels less likely to cause permanent hearing damage. GOP lawmakers have emphasized that in many European countries with stricter gun laws overall, suppressors are nevertheless widely available and even encouraged as safety devices. This perspective has gained significant traction among conservative voters who view the current regulations as outdated and punitive.
“Burdensome regulations and unconstitutional taxes shouldn’t stand in the way of protecting American gun owners’ rights,” Rep. Andrew Clyde.
The Senate version of the bill has incorporated the SHORT Act (Silencers Helping Our Rights and Protection), which expands deregulation to short-barreled rifles and shotguns. These firearms have been heavily regulated since the 1930s despite having legitimate sporting, home defense, and collection purposes. Texas Senator John Cornyn has been particularly vocal about these provisions, connecting them directly to constitutional principles and the president’s legislative agenda. The inclusion of these measures reflects the Republican-controlled Congress’s determination to deliver substantial wins for their base on multiple fronts simultaneously.
GOP tax bill would ease regulations on gun silencers and some rifles and shotgunshttps://t.co/nsdmHuxQIh pic.twitter.com/fQvmfvSeek
— Josh Boak (@joshboak) June 23, 2025
Democratic Opposition and Political Battle Lines
Democrats have mounted significant opposition to the firearms provisions in the tax bill, focusing their objections on public safety concerns. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has led efforts to remove these provisions through parliamentary review, arguing they don’t belong in a budget-related bill. Democrats have attempted to frame suppressors as tools that could make it harder for law enforcement to respond to shooting incidents, despite evidence that suppressed firearms remain quite loud. The political battle highlights the stark differences between the parties on gun policy issues.
“Parents don’t want silencers on their streets, police don’t want silencers on their streets,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
Gun control advocacy groups have aligned with Democratic lawmakers in opposing the provisions. Organizations like Everytown for Gun Safety have voiced concerns about public safety implications, though Second Amendment supporters point out that legal suppressors are rarely used in crimes due to existing regulations. The current proposal would still maintain general gun regulations, including background checks for purchasing firearms, but would remove the additional layer of restrictions and taxes specific to these particular items. President Trump has made it clear he wants to sign a comprehensive tax and spending cuts package by July 4th, presenting the legislation as an Independence Day gift to the American people.
“I’m glad the Senate is joining the House to stand up for the Second Amendment and our Constitution, and I will continue to fight for these priorities as the Senate works to pass President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill,” Texas Sen. John Cornyn.
