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Committee hears divided testimony on bill to align suppressor rules with federal law; author agrees to revise language
Summary
SB499 would change how silencers/suppressors appear in Georgia code to mirror expected federal changes; supporters emphasized hearing protection while opponents warned it could reduce penalties for criminals. Committee paused to refine section concerning enhanced penalties.
Senators and dozens of witnesses spent extensive time debating Senate Bill 499, which would adjust Georgia’s statutory language about firearm suppressors to remain consistent with possible federal changes.
Author Senator Ginn told the Judiciary Committee he drafted the bill to prevent Georgians from becoming criminalized if federal law were to remove certain National Firearms Act (NFA) requirements. Knox Williams, an industry advocate, and other proponents framed suppressors as hearing‑conservation tools and pointed to studies saying suppressors reduce peak sound pressure levels.
Opponents — including Heather Hallett of Georgia Majority for Gun Safety and clinicians who treat gun‑injury victims — argued the change would weaken public‑safety protections and could reduce enhanced penalties for crimes committed with silencers. Clinicians warned that bystanders sometimes detect gunfire and respond; they said removing the statutory enhancement could make it harder to investigate and alert people immediately.
Legal witnesses described the federal statute background: the NFA historically regulated suppressors through a transfer tax and registration. Testimony noted recent federal changes eliminated the $200 transfer tax, prompting litigation and legislative uncertainty; witnesses said federal penalties for using suppressors in crimes can remain substantial under other statutes.
Several committee members (including Senator Hatchett) pressed the author about a provision in section 5 that removes a statutory enhancement for firearms ‘‘equipped with a silencer’’ during the commission of certain crimes. The author and counsel agreed to work with members on clearer drafting and not to advance conflicted language; a motion to pass was withdrawn so the bill can be revised.
The committee did not record a final committee vote on the revised language at this hearing; the author said he would return with clarified text.
