Great news from Kansas! Governor Laura Kelly just signed HB2501, a law that removes state criminal prohibitions against firearm suppressors. This is exactly the kind of common-sense deregulation we need.
Suppressors are safety devices—pure and simple. They protect our hearing at the range and make hunting more enjoyable. The fact that they've been treated like machine guns under the NFA has always been absurd. Kansas gets it.
The new law eliminates the state-level tax stamp requirement for suppressor possession. While you'll still need to deal with federal paperwork under the NFA, this removes one layer of unnecessary government interference. And if Congress ever passes the Hearing Protection Act to fully remove suppressors from the NFA, Kansas is already positioned to let its citizens take full advantage.
The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support—99-22 in the House and 35-4 in the Senate. Even politicians can recognize that treating hearing protection like a explosive device makes no sense.
But here's what really matters for my business: the law also provides civil liability immunity for firearm retailers who return a firearm to its owner at the end of a hold agreement. This protection encourages us to help customers during mental health crises or suicidal situations without fear of being sued. That's a win for everyone who wants to prevent tragedy.
The law also removes state shotgun barrel length requirements and short-barrel rifle qualification rules, while beefing up penalties for criminals who misuse these tools. That's how it should work—law-abiding citizens get more freedom, and actual bad actors face stricter consequences.
Kansas is showing the rest of the country how it's done. Less government, more freedom, smarter enforcement.