Republican lawmakers hoping to ease restrictions on gun silencers

DENVER -- Republican lawmakers are hoping to ease restrictions on gun silencers through the proposed Hearing Protection Act.

Advocates say the bill would help hunters target better, reduce the extensive long background checks that take up to 10 months as well as protect gun owners from hearing loss.

Congressman Jeff Duncan of South Carolina reintroduced the bill that was initially introduced in 2015 but was never heard.

Gun control advocate Tom Sullivan said the bill could potentially place silencers in the wrong hands, costing lives.

“Generally when a shot goes off, people can become aware of where it's coming from and they can get away from that. I would have to assume that a silencer would muddle where it's coming from,” Sullivan said.

A hearing date for the bill has not been set yet.