Senate committee clears bill to remove ambiguous state language on firearm suppressors

Senate Bill 400, a bill described by its sponsor as a technical cleanup to Arkansas code language concerning firearm suppressors, passed the City, County & Local Affairs Committee after more than an hour of debate and a roll-call vote.

Sponsor Senator Ballinger told the committee the state provision is ambiguous and could be read to prohibit devices adapted for 'silent discharge' even though suppressors do not, in fact, silence a gunshot. He said federal law already governs lawful suppressor ownership — including a transfer tax, background checks and serial-number registration — and that removing the state language would align state code with current federal enforcement.

Several senators questioned whether the change could hamper law-enforcement investigations or public-safety responses. Senator Flowers said removing the language could put law enforcement “at a disadvantage if there is an active shooting” and asked whether law enforcement had been consulted; Ballinger said he had not heard from law enforcement opposing the bill and that current practice relies on federal rules.

Ballinger also said suppressors can reduce sound by about 30 percent, which can benefit hearing protection and reduce shooter flinching during training; he acknowledged federal requirements make possession already difficult for most people.

After debate the committee called a roll; individual responses were recorded and the clerk announced the result as "5 to 3," and the bill was reported as passed out of committee.

The committee chair said there was no organized opposition on the committee record and that the bill will proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.