Silencer Central’s Suppressor Lobbying Sparks Controversy Over Nfa Deregulation Stance

Opinion
Editor’s Note: After publication preparation, Silencer Central contacted AmmoLand News to clarify its position. CEO Brandon Maddox stated, “We have always been vocal supporters of the HPA, as well as the current proposed provision of a $0 tax stamp… Our priority has always been… advocating for deregulation and 2nd amendment rights.” This article has been updated to reflect the company’s response and will be further updated if additional information becomes available. This article includes information from anonymous sources and federal lobbying disclosures.

Rumors have been swirling in the firearms community about a company lobbying Congress to keep silencers under the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA). Lobbying disclosures show Silencer Central advocated for ‘suppressor tax stamp conservation legislation’ in 2024, prompting speculation about their stance on NFA deregulation.

AmmoLand News received similar reports from multiple sources but withheld coverage until corroborating documents and broader reporting emerged. With public discussion growing, we are now publishing what we’ve confirmed and what remains unclear.

Silencer Central is one of the largest sellers and manufacturers of suppressors in the United States. The company was part of the American Suppressor Association (ASA) but left the organization a year ago. The ASA represents manufacturers and sellers of hearing-saving devices. The ASA has lobbied for passage of the Hearing Protection Act (HPA) and publicly called for the removal of suppressors from the NFA.

Some industry insiders speculate, without public evidence, that Silencer Central’s lobbying may prioritize maintaining NFA regulations. Multiple sources familiar with Capitol Hill lobbying activities spoke to AmmoLand News under the condition of anonymity due to employment restrictions. While their statements are consistent with each other and with certain filings, these claims have not been independently confirmed.

Silencer Central’s business model is to ship suppressors directly to the buyer’s front door. This option is available for NFA items, but not for Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) items. They also make the Banish line of suppressors. If suppressors were removed from the NFA, they would likely be reclassified under the Gun Control Act (GCA), which does not allow direct-to-consumer shipping for such items. This would impact Silencer Central’s current business model, which is built around direct home delivery in 42 states.

When asked by a customer on X where they stand on HPA, Silencer Central responded, “As the nation’s largest online retailer of suppressors, we’re also one of the largest manufacturers. Our commitment to our customer[s] is unwavering, and we support any effort that reduces barriers to make suppressor ownership more accessible.”

As the nation’s largest online retailer of suppressors, we’re also one of the largest manufacturers. Our commitment to our customer is unwavering and we support any effort that reduces barriers to make suppressor ownership more accessible!

— Silencer Central (@Silencercentral) May 14, 2025

When a follow-up question about suppressors remaining on the NFA was asked, the company did not respond. The post was about why they chose not to sign a Gun Owners of America (GOA) letter calling for the full passage of Section 2 of the HPA, which would remove suppressors from the NFA. Other companies like Silencer Shop signed the letter. Some gun owners questioned Silencer Central’s absence from the GOA letter, though the company has not publicly explained its decision.

Official Response from Silencer Central:

“Silencer Central is closely monitoring the ongoing congressional hearings surrounding the Hearing Protection Act (HPA). We have always been vocal supporters of the HPA, as well as the current proposed provision of a $0 tax stamp. Our priority has always been, and will continue to be, advocating for deregulation and 2nd amendment rights, while supporting any win we can get for our customers regarding their firearm and accessory ownership rights along the way. Regardless of the ever-changing regulatory landscape, we remain focused on delivering exceptional service and standing by the community we’re proud to be part of.” — Brandon Maddox, CEO, Silencer Central.

This statement marks the company’s first formal public response to questions about its lobbying strategy and its position on removing suppressors from the NFA.

Previous Concerns About HPA

In a 2024 interview with Dean Weingarten of AmmoLand News, Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central, stated he wanted to see the HPA pass but had concerns about it. He proposed a strategy different from those of other organizations, such as the ASA, National Rifle Association (NRA), and GOA.

“We are both a dealer and we also are manufacturers,” Maddox said. “We have a line of products that are some of the best-selling in the nation. People may not realize this, because people do not have access to them because we sell direct. We could sell a whole lot more if they became non-NFA items.”

“I think where we differ from some people is we feel there could be some sort of crawl, walk, run,” Maddox continued. “Some people are really focused on HPA, HPA, HPA. To me, it is obvious Biden is not going to sign that. I get trying to create some momentum for that. What we have been looking for is: Are there some key wins we can get for the silencers that would help us gradually get closer to getting approved for the Hearing Protection Act instead of focusing solely on that?”

The first public mention of Silencer Central being the company behind the lobbying against removing suppressors from the NFA was on the May 12 episode of the “We Like Shooting” Podcast. They called out the company by name, but the rumors were already spreading in the gun community before that episode was released. The ‘We Like Shooting’ podcast did not disclose its sources, and AmmoLand News could not confirm the claim.

“Allegedly, Silencer Central is working against removing suppressors from the NFA,” said host Shawn Herrin during the live broadcast.

YouTubers Braden Langley of Langley Outdoor Academy and Curtis Hallstrom of VSO Gun Channel suggested a company was lobbying against deregulation, which some interpreted as targeting Silencer Central, though no direct evidence was provided in their videos.  According to a Q1 2024 lobbying disclosure filed by Natural Resource Results LLC, Silencer Central paid $50,000 for efforts described as “develop and support suppressor tax stamp conservation legislation.” A subsequent Q1 2025 filing from RBW Group LLC notes lobbying on the “Hearing Protection Act” and “regulation of suppressor purchases,” but does not detail any position for or against deregulation.

This effort could be tied to a proposal that would use tax stamp money collected from suppressors for the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act. The act provides funding for states and territories to support wildlife restoration, conservation, and hunter education and safety programs. Another lobbying report filed by RBW Group, LLC shows that Silencer Central hired them after terminating their contract with Natural Resource Results LLC. The lobbying issues are listed as “Regulation of suppressor purchases,” “Hearing Protection Act,” and “Hunting and recreational shooting access on public lands.”

In the Ways and Means Committee, the budget bill passed with Suppressors still listed on the NFA. The tax stamp fee will be lowered to $0 if it passes through Congress, which seems likely, but gun owners are upset because the registration requirements for suppressors remain in place, and the Ways and Means Committee could have sent it to the floor of the House with Section 2 of the HPA intact. It can still be modified on the House floor or the Senate. There is expected to be an effort in the Senate to alter the language to remove suppressors from the NFA.

Natural Resource Results LLC LD-2 Disclosure Form From Silencer Central (Q1 2024)

RBW GROUP LLC LD-2 Disclosure Form From Silencer Central (Q1 2025)

About John Crump

John is an NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.

Conversations with Brandon Maddox, the Hearing Protection Act (HPA)

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