Why Congress Must Act: Suppressor and Brace Rights on the Line

At Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, SC, we understand that the Second Amendment is not subject to political convenience. Attacks on law-abiding gun owners come in many forms, and right now, Congress has yet another chance to do the right thing. With two key pieces of legislation — the Hearing Protection Act and the SHORT Act — being pushed by Gun Owners of America (GOA), it’s time to reconsider why suppressors and pistol braces are essential for responsible gun owners across the country. The GOA pushes Congress to pass suppressor and brace bills without delay, emphasizing common sense firearm freedom over bureaucratic red tape.

Suppressors: A Hearing Protection Tool, Not a Weapon

Contrary to the drama you might see in Hollywood or hear from out-of-touch policymakers, suppressors (also known as silencers) are not about stealth assassinations. They’re about safety and protecting hearing — plain and simple. The Hearing Protection Act, introduced by Representatives Bob Good and Eric Burlison, seeks to remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA) list, where they have been wrongly targeted since 1934.

Suppressors improve the shooting experience by lowering decibel levels enough to prevent permanent hearing damage. For comparison:

• A typical gunshot ranges from 140-165 decibels.
• Hearing damage begins at just 85 decibels.
• Even with hearing protection, suppressors add an extra layer of safety, especially during training or hunting.

So why are they regulated like machine guns? That’s the whole point of the GOA’s push. The archaic and misleading laws of the NFA defy modern science and serve only to criminalize lawful gun owners trying to protect their health. For a suppressor, current law mandates:

• A $200 tax stamp
• A 9 to 14-month wait time
• Bureaucratic paperwork through the ATF

This makes no sense. Ordinary Americans should not have to jump through these hoops for a safety device. The GOA pushes Congress to pass suppressor and brace bills not only to restore rights but also to recognize that government overreach has real, negative effects on liberty and safety alike.

Braces: Stability, Accessibility, Freedom

The GOA’s efforts don’t stop at suppressors. The Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act, sponsored by Senator Roger Marshall and Representative Andrew Clyde, addresses the ATF’s arbitrary rule changes regarding stabilizing braces. Originally designed to help disabled veterans enjoy shooting sports and defensive firearm usage, these braces are now under attack.

The ATF’s overnight change classified countless legally owned firearms as short-barreled rifles, effectively turning millions of responsible Americans into potential federal felons. This follows a disturbing pattern of executive overreach, where agencies reinterpret laws instead of Congress passing them. The GOA pushes Congress to pass suppressor and brace bills not just to roll back these unjust classifications, but also to protect the integrity of the legislative process itself.

Why Braces Matter for Law-Abiding Gun Owners

• They improve control and safety for smaller-statured or disabled shooters.
• They increase firearm versatility in training and home defense scenarios.
• They are not — despite media spin — a loophole or criminal accessory.

Here at Fortress Firearms Training, we train people from all backgrounds — veterans, moms concerned about home defense, first-time gun owners, seniors learning to protect themselves. Many of our clients benefit from braces due to physical limitations or simply better control during rapid fire drills. Turning them into criminals overnight is a terrifying abuse of authority that betrays every principle of American justice.

When Laws Punish the Lawful, Tyranny Grows

At the heart of these debates over suppressors and braces is a deeper issue: government mistrust of its own citizens. Instead of targeting actual criminals, rogue lawmakers and bureaucrats wage war on the Second Amendment rights of the law-abiding. The GOA pushes Congress to pass suppressor and brace bills because they understand that freedom demands action. Doing nothing means surrendering more of our rights, piece by piece.

Consider this: Every time some unelected official at the ATF decides to reclassify a popular firearm part, Americans are forced to register, dismantle, or risk felony charges. How is that justice? How is that freedom?

The GOA remains one of the few organizations willing to face down these threats without compromise. And it’s not just about owning “cool gear” — it’s about standing against creeping tyranny. Whether it’s the ATF, the DOJ, or the White House, anti-gun bureaucrats continue to work around the will of the people to enforce policies that punish good citizens under the guise of public safety.

It’s Time for Grassroots Action

The GOA pushes Congress to pass suppressor and brace bills as a call to action for all patriotic Americans. But they can’t fight alone. Every firearm owner, Second Amendment supporter, and freedom-loving citizen must demand accountability from their representatives. Ask yourself:

• Do I have a Senator or Congressman who defends my right to own a suppressor or brace?
• When did I last contact my elected officials to push back against unconstitutional restrictions?
• Am I part of a firearms community that educates and empowers members legally and safely?

At Fortress Firearms Training, we believe in strong community-based education and training that emphasizes responsibility, proficiency, and freedom. We don’t just teach people how to shoot — we teach them why their rights matter and how to stand up for them effectively.

Liberty Is Worth the Fight

Suppressor and brace legislation isn’t about luxury — it’s about liberty. The bureaucratic war on gun owners has gone unchecked for far too long. Whether it’s waiting nearly a year to get a piece of safety equipment or having to destroy your legal pistol brace to avoid becoming a felon, this is not the America our founders envisioned.

The GOA pushes Congress to pass suppressor and brace bills because, in their words, “gun owners are not the problem.” And they are absolutely right. Criminalizing responsible gun ownership does not make communities safer — but training, education, and freedom do.

Join the fight. Contact your lawmakers. Support responsible pro-gun organizations. And most importantly: stay trained, stay armed, and stay vigilant. If you’re in the Upstate South Carolina area, come train with us at Fortress Firearms Training, where freedom and preparedness go hand in hand.