A Democratic bill with 7 Democratic cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The HEAR Act of 2026 aims to regulate firearm silencers and firearm mufflers. It makes it generally unlawful for people to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess these items in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce. The bill provides specific exceptions for government agencies, certain law enforcement officers, and specific licensees. It also allows for exceptions regarding testing and experimentation authorized by the Attorney General. Additionally, the bill mandates a national buy-back program to compensate individuals for surrendering these items.
Yes
- Scored +7
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?
The bill imposes a general prohibition on the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of firearm silencers and mufflers.
The opposite
- Scored -9
Would gun owners be better off under this?
The bill restricts the possession and sale of silencers and mufflers while providing a buy-back program to remove them from circulation.
- Scored -8
Does this protect the right to own guns?
The bill restricts the possession and transfer of firearm accessories like silencers and mufflers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Law Enforcement Protections: The bill allows for the possession and transfer of silencers and mufflers by qualified law enforcement officers, including those employed by the United States, States, or political subdivisions for law enforcement purposes (Section 3(a)(2)(A)).
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Campus Safety Provisions: Campus law enforcement officers at eligible private institutions of higher education are permitted to possess these items for law enforcement purposes (Section 3(a)(2)(A) and Section 3(a)(3)).
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Nuclear Security: The bill allows for the possession of these items by employees or contractors of licensees under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 for the purpose of maintaining on-site physical protection systems or for authorized training and transportation of nuclear materials (Section 3(a)(2)(B)).
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Compensation for Compliance: Through a mandated buy-back program, the Attorney General will provide compensation to individuals seeking to comply with the new requirements by surrendering their silencers or mufflers (Section 5(a) and Section 5(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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General Restrictions on Ownership: The bill makes it unlawful for a person to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess firearm silencers or firearm mufflers, which impacts those who currently own or wish to acquire them (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Increased Penalties: The bill amends existing law to include these regulated items in the scope of penalties (Section 3(b) and Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would gun owners be better off under this? — The bill restricts the possession and sale of silencers and mufflers while providing a buy-back program to remove them from circulation.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns? — The bill imposes a general prohibition on the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of firearm silencers and mufflers. Does this protect the right to own guns? — The bill restricts the possession and transfer of firearm accessories like silencers and mufflers.
- 6/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/8/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
4 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Sean CastenDemocrat · Illinois
Adriano EspaillatDemocrat · New York
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Glenn IveyDemocrat · Maryland
Robert MenendezDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia