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H.R. 3454 · 116th Congress

HEAR Act

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IntroducedPassed one chamberPassed both chambersBecame law (gold)Resolution agreed to (full, dark)Failed or vetoed (gray)

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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 116th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

BWD Watson ColemanSponsor
9 cosponsors · 9 D
CHD Houlahan DPD Payne BRD Rush JSD Schakowsky TSD Suozzi NLD Lowey FPD Pallone BPD Pascrell MQD Quigley

5 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.

This bill establishes a new criminal offense for the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of a firearm silencer or firearm muffler.

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Jun 24, 2019

Help Empower Americans to Respond Act or the HEAR Act

This bill establishes a new criminal offense for the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of a firearm silencer or firearm muffler.

The bill does not prohibit certain conduct with respect to a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, including the following:

  • importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; and
  • importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials.

In addition, the bill requires the Department of Justice to establish and implement a buy-back program to purchase firearm silencers and firearm mufflers. States and local governments may use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender firearm silencers and firearm mufflers under this buy-back program.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: HEAR Act

Also known as: Help Empower Americans to Respond Act

Latest action (Jul 30, 2019): Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement · Origin: House · Introduced: Jun 24, 2019

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.