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S. 1131 · 117th 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 117th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

6 cosponsors · 6 D

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

Help Empower Americans to Respond Act of 2021 or the HEAR Act

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in Senate · Apr 15, 2021

Help Empower Americans to Respond Act of 2021 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 of 2021

Latest action (Apr 15, 2021): Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement · Origin: Senate · Introduced: Apr 15, 2021

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

No recorded floor vote found.