Skip to main content
HR 2985 118th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement

HEAR Act of 2023

Introduced: April 27, 2023 Introduced by: Watson Coleman, Bonnie Democratic · New Jersey See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 27, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 27, 2023
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Help Empower Americans to Respond Act of 2023 or the HEAR Act of 2023

This bill establishes a new criminal offense for the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of a firearm silencer or firearm muffler.

The bill does not prohibit certain conduct with respect to a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, including the following:

  • importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; and
  • importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials.

In addition, the bill requires the Department of Justice to establish and implement a buy-back program to purchase firearm silencers and firearm mufflers. States and local governments may use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender firearm silencers and firearm mufflers under this buy-back program.

What's happening now April 27, 2023

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1