Congressman Pfluger, Golden Introduce Bipartisan Protecting Americans’ Right to Silence (PARTS) Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced the introduction of the Protecting Americans' Right to Silence (PARTS) Act. The PARTS Act is a vital piece of legislation with bipartisan support to amend the statutory definitions of firearm silencers and mufflers to eliminate the potential for misinterpretation which could lead to the criminalization of lawful firearm accessories and ensure that the rights of American gun owners are protected.

Under current law, the definition of a silencer could mistakenly categorize individual components as silencers themselves. This interpretation has caused confusion and concern among law-abiding citizens and manufacturers alike, especially as many major silencer companies offer modular models that allow users to adapt their equipment for various purposes, such as hunting or transportation.

"Suppressors make hunting and all shooting sports safer," said Congressman August Pfluger. "They help our military personnel, law enforcement, and recreational shooters alike. Unfortunately, we've seen the Biden-Harris Administration's ATF try to criminalize the tools and accessories that actually make using firearms safer. Criminalizing suppressors would only make their manufacturing and use nearly impossible. My bill would prevent that blatant overreach and protect the Second Amendment Rights of Americans."

"Laws should be written in such a way that everyone can understand what's legal and what isn't," Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) said. "Instead, the ATF's sloppy rulemaking puts responsible gun owners at risk of unknowingly violating the law - without making anyone safer, either. This is a no-brainer clarification and a necessary safeguard for Americans' Second Amendment rights."

The PARTS Act aims to clarify the definition of suppressors, ensuring that components like mounts, baffles, and end caps are not erroneously classified as standalone silencers. By doing so, the legislation would prevent the ATF from engaging in legislative rulemaking that exceeds its authority, thus preserving the integrity of firearm accessory regulations.

Original co-sponsors include Representatives Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Darrell Issa (CA-48), and Mark Rulli (OH-06), who stand united in the effort to protect American gun owners from overreach and preserve their rights.