Gun rights advocates are celebrating, and Democrats are livid, over what’s tucked inside the One Big Beautiful Bill (also known as the BBB or OB3). According to Curtis Hallstrom, host of The VSO Gun Channel, Democrats only recently realized that the bill contains the full text of the Hearing Protection Act, a long-fought pro-gun measure that would remove suppressors (silencers) from the National Firearms Act registry. Once that dawned on them, Hallstrom says, “they are so mad right now.” Suppressors may soon be treated like regular firearms instead of being subject to months of paperwork and a $200 tax stamp.
Curtis Hallstrom: “Now Is the Time to Push”
Hallstrom didn’t hold back in urging viewers to take action. He explained that gun control advocates prefer to operate in silence, passing laws while Americans are distracted by holidays or media noise. But this time, he believes momentum is on the side of the Second Amendment. Hallstrom urged Americans to call their senators and demand the Hearing Protection Act remain fully intact within the bill. “They want to strip it out under the guise of ‘public safety,’” Hallstrom said, “but we all know that’s just emotional manipulation.”
The Short Act Could Join the Fight
Gun Owners of America’s Senior Vice President, Erich Pratt, sat down with Kansas Senator Roger Marshall to discuss the next big move – getting the SHORT Act added to the BBB. The Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today Act would remove unconstitutional taxes and restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns, which are currently regulated under the same outdated National Firearms Act as suppressors. Senator Marshall told Pratt there’s a “better than average chance” of getting it added. He called these types of firearms “great defense weapons,” especially for women, and emphasized how the current law creates a nine-month wait and $200 fee just to exercise a constitutional right.
An Avalanche of Pressure Is the Strategy
Both Hallstrom and Pratt agree – mass pressure is the only thing that will push this through. If your own senator is against gun rights, Hallstrom suggests a different strategy: flood the social media feeds of other senators with mentions, quote tweets, and posts about the Hearing Protection Act and SHORT Act. “They need to open up their X feed and just see it tanked with notifications,” Hallstrom said. The idea is to keep a steady buzz in the background so lawmakers can’t ignore the public voice.
What Democrats Fear Most
According to Hallstrom, anti-gun politicians are preparing their usual arguments. They’re expected to claim the bill will make suppressors easier for criminals to get, framing it as a danger to public safety. But Hallstrom debunked this. “Suppressors will still require the same paperwork as buying a handgun,” he clarified. “It’s not like they’ll be sold over the counter like candy.” The only thing truly being repealed is the tax, something he points out can be done legally via the reconciliation process, the same way Democrats passed key parts of the Affordable Care Act.
Senator Marshall: This Is About Fixing Government Overreach
Senator Roger Marshall also emphasized how the tax on short-barreled rifles is a clear case of the government taxing a constitutional right. He called it a “hassle factor” that harms ordinary citizens and serves no real public safety benefit. “If your senator gives you flak about this costing money,” Pratt added, “remind them that they’ve been unconstitutionally taxing a right for nearly a century.” The message was clear: it’s time to stop pretending the Second Amendment comes with a price tag.
Concerns About State-Level Suppressor Laws
One issue that’s caused some confusion is how states will handle suppressors if the federal law changes. Hallstrom explained that some states, like Ohio, only allow suppressors if you’re in compliance with federal law. So, if the federal restrictions are removed, what happens at the state level? Hallstrom isn’t too worried. He points to how Ohio’s carry laws evolved over time. “Win first, then deal with the fallout,” he said. In his view, securing federal reform should take priority. Local fixes can come afterward.
A New Path Forward on Firearm Rights
The strategy now is simple: win at the federal level and then fight state-level battles later if needed. Hallstrom reminded his viewers that states like Ohio have successfully amended weak gun laws after the fact. The key is to get the major win in D.C. and use that as momentum to pressure states to follow. “Just because the federal government steps back doesn’t mean you’ll be left hanging,” he said. “We’ve been here before, and we’ll fix it like we always do.”
The Clock Is Ticking – Call Now
Both Hallstrom and Pratt emphasized the urgency of the moment. The BBB has already passed the House and is expected to move quickly in the Senate. Once it passes there, it heads straight to the president’s desk. “This is the moment,” Senator Marshall told GOA. He even repeated the Capitol switchboard number twice during the interview: 202-224-3121. If enough people flood the phone lines, email inboxes, and social media feeds, there’s a real shot at not just protecting the Hearing Protection Act, but also getting the SHORT Act added before final passage.
A Rare and Real Chance
This moment feels different. Too often, pro-gun bills are symbolic gestures – introduced with no real path forward. But this time, the momentum is real. The Hearing Protection Act and SHORT Act are both tied to a larger reconciliation bill that Congress actually wants to pass. That’s a rare opportunity. As Hallstrom put it, “Now is the time.” If gun owners sit this one out, they may miss one of the most important legislative openings in decades.
What Makes Suppressors So Controversial Anyway?
What’s fascinating is how misunderstood suppressors still are. Despite being legal in most states and used mainly for hearing safety, many Americans still associate them with movies and crime. But the truth is, they’re just mufflers for guns. They don’t make weapons silent – they just make them safer to shoot. If suppressors are finally removed from NFA restrictions, it could mark a big step toward normalizing lawful gun ownership and undoing decades of fear-based messaging.
Suppressors and SBRs Could Soon Be Freed
Democrats may be fuming, but the gun rights movement has reason to be hopeful. The Big Beautiful Bill might just live up to its name – for gun owners, at least. With the Hearing Protection Act already inside and the SHORT Act possibly joining it, this could be the most significant rollback of gun regulations in a generation. Curtis Hallstrom, Erich Pratt, and Senator Roger Marshall have all made one thing clear: the time to act is now. Whether you believe in gun rights or not, it’s hard to deny that this is a moment where the tides could shift dramatically.
And if this all goes through? The NFA as we know it may never be the same again.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.