Tennessee Firearms Association shared information concerning pending legislation that would entirely remove suppressors from the scope of the National Firearms Act. Other legislation would impose severe limits on future attempts to classify pistols as short barrel rifles. The bills were in a House committee to which David Kustoff (R – TN) is assigned.
This weekend Ammoland broke a news report that identifies Tennessee Congressman David Kustoff as a serious problem (it also identified former NRA operative Chris Cox as part of the problem!). Apparently, rather that supporting 2nd Amendment based efforts to repeal the transfer and registration tax on suppressors, Congressman Kustoff was telling Tennesseans to “kissoff” rather as he instead was advocating for merely reducing the fee from $200 to $5.
After TFA, Gun Owners of America and others ask for constituents to call, Kissoff Kustoff ignored those calls and continued to insist that suppressor remain subject to the burdens of the National Firearms Act.
Hey David! Its not an issue of a $200 tax. Its an issue of government regulating unconstitutionally items protected by the Second Amendment which mandates that these items “shall not be infringed” by government meddling.
Apparently, Kissoff Kustoff could care less about the Second Amendment.
Instead of supporting the removal of suppressor as items subject to the NFA, Kissoff Kustoff told Tennesseans to pound stand. He refused to remove them. Instead, his brilliant idea is to reduce the fee from $200 to $0 as if this was just about the money!!! Here it is in his own words (probably written by a staffer or consultant):
Do not be tricked by his propaganda. Do not be seduced by claims that the NRA’s “establishment oriented” staff (in the past) liked him. Do not be seduced by claims that he is even remotely pro Second Amendment because his actions say otherwise!
You have a chance to force a change in the National Firearms Act. There are two important acts that are pending and that are critical. The Hearing Protection Act and the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act are both stalled if not stonewalled in the House.
- H.R. 404—The Hearing Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Ben Cline, would remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act of 1934 (“NFA”), stripping away all regulation and eliminating the $200 tax stamp.
- H.R. 2395—The SHORT Act, introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde, would prevent any future attempt to reintroduce the Biden administration’s unconstitutional pistol brace ban. The NFA was the actual law that the Biden Administration used to justify the pistol brace ban.
We need your continued help to let Congressman Kissoff Kustoff understand that you are demanding that these two bills be included in the Trump budget. Make the call today and, if you are a constituent, ask that he call you back to report on how he will be or did vote on these important issues:
- Washington Office – (202) 225-4714
- Jackson Office – (731) 423-4848
- Martin Office – (731) 412-1043
- Memphis Office – (901) 682-4422
Borrowing from our friends at Gun Owners of America, here is a script you can tweak:
- Hello, my name is [NAME] and I’m a member of Gun Owners of America, the Tennessee Firearms Association and a gun-owning voter in Tennessee.
- I am disgusted with the unacceptable compromise that is in the draft text of the reconciliation bill. The bill does not even contain the SHORT Act, and it makes a pathetic attempt at improving the situation on suppressors.
- I am demanding that you work to amend the bill in the Ways and Means Committee by FULLY protecting suppressors and pistol-braced firearms from federal regulation under the National Firearms Act.
- The committee can do this by adding Sec. 2 of the Hearing Protection Act and Sec. 2 of the SHORT Act to the bill—which are the sections that delete the suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs from the NFA registry.)
- Removing suppressors and pistol braces entirely from the NFA is VERY IMPORTANT so a future administration, whether Democrat or Republican, doesn’t weaponize the NFA against gun owners like Biden did.
- Gun Owners of America, Tennessee Firearms Association and I will be watching your actions closely.
- I am requesting that you contact me and let me know what happens.
Please take 5 minutes out of your busy day to impress on Congressman Kustoff that you are demanding his vigorous support of these bills.
If you are not in Congressman Kissoff Kustoff’s district, call him as a Tennessean. You should also call your individual Congressional member as well. Tell them about these bills and that you are expecting them to not only support the bills but that you are expecting them to communicate the urgency to Congressman Kustoff as well. If you do not know how to contact your Congressman, look them up here.
John Harris | Executive Director | Tennessee Firearms Association
Joining and supporting TFA is an investment in the fight to restore our constitutional rights and to fight against politicians who are willing to sell their votes and your rights to whichever business interest gives them the most money!