Two measures on opposite sides of the suppressor deregulation argument had very different outcomes on Tuesday. 
 

South Dakota

On Feb. 10, at Sioux Falls-based Silencer Central, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden (R) signed SB 2, which deregulates firearm suppressors at the state level by removing them from the definition of a "controlled weapon." The measure had passed the Republican-controlled state legislature in a unanimous vote. 

The move is important as, should the devices be deregulated at the federal level, as many as 16 states are directly dependent on compliance with the federal National Firearms Act for legal suppressor possession. This could leave many, even in red states where suppressors are already legal, in a dangerous catch-22 should something like the Hearing Protection Act become federal law. 

"South Dakota is the most Second Amendment-friendly state in America, and this is yet another opportunity for us to pave the way and set an example for the rest of the nation," said Rhoden at the bill signing. “By removing unnecessary state-level restrictions, we are standing up for freedom and protecting the constitutional right of law-abiding citizens."
 

Virginia 

Meanwhile, in Virginia, the Democrat-controlled Finance Committee of the Commonwealth's House of Delegates recommended laying HB 207 on the table in a unanimous vote, effectively killing the measure. The controversial bill proposed an arbitrary $500 state tax on the retail sale of legally owned suppressors to consumers. 

The vote came after the American Suppressor Association's Executive Director, Knox Williams, testified before the Committee in opposition to the bill. For disclosure, Guns.com's Cregg Burns, who sits on ASA's board, was on hand for the testimony. 

"Suppressors are hearing protection devices—plain and simple," Williams told Guns.com. "When people can’t afford basic hearing protection while hunting or shooting, they’re set up for far more expensive medical costs from hearing loss later in life. Unconstitutional taxes on these items don’t just violate 2A rights; they disproportionately harm lower-income and working-class Americans who can’t afford an inflated suppressor tax."
 

Banner image: Beretta PMXs 9mm with a SilencerCo Omega 36M modular suppressor mounted. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)