House votes to remove suppressors from NFA, but short-barreled long guns still up in air

In a historic vote last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1, known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Read our story on that)."

The bill, which has moved on to the Senate, included the Hearing Protection Act (H.R.404) to remove firearm suppressors from the National Firearm Act’s (NFA) burdensome regulatory framework. But it did not include the SHORT Act (H.R.2395) to delist short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns from the NFA.

Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Georgia), a gun store owner, was instrumental in getting suppressors removed, but adding the SHORT Act to this bill might have prevented it from moving on to the Senate.

More changes to the bill could occur in the Senate, and even pro-gun Senators like Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) have signaled they would shoot it down — albeit for spending reasons. However, the bill is not subject to a filibuster, according to the House Committee on the Budget.

"Instead of needing 60 votes, a reconciliation bill only needs a simple majority in the Senate," according to a fact sheet, Budget Reconciliation Explainer. "That bill has special status in the Senate. Like the budget, it cannot be filibustered, and only needs a simple majority to pass."

You can do your part by contacting your Senators and telling them that you want them to keep the Hearing Protection Act intact AND to add the SHORT Act before passing the One Big Beautiful Bill.

If you live in Ohio:

Contact Sen. Jon Husted at 202-224-3353 or by email.

Contact Sen. Bernie Moreno at 202-224-2315 or by email.

If you live outside Ohio, go here to contact your Senators.

This is a great opportunity for our elected leaders to prove they respect the Second Amendment and value the support of gun owners in Ohio and across this great nation.