Let’s Eliminate Suppressor and SBS Restrictions in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvanians should NEVER be treated like criminals for exercising their constitutionally-protected rights.

Yet under Pennsylvania’s archaic Title 18, Section 908, law-abiding citizens face state criminal charges simply for possessing suppressors (hearing protection) and short-barreled shotguns (SBSs)—tools that are widely owned across America.

Section 908 classifies suppressors and SBSs under the umbrella of “prohibited offensive weapons.” Under current state law, gun owners are only shielded from state prosecution through a narrow legal exception: proving they are in strict compliance with the federal National Firearms Act (NFA).

This reliance on federal regulation has created a dangerous legal trap.

Following the recent landmark court decision in Silencer Shop v. ATF in Texas, key elements of federal registration and NFA tax stamp mandates have been dismantled for GOA members and other plaintiffs.

But because Pennsylvania state law ties your legal rights directly to federal compliance, Pennsylvanians are left stranded in dangerous legal ambiguity.

If these items no longer require federal registration or tax stamps under federal court decisions, PA gun owners face an unconstitutional Catch-22: you could still be prosecuted under state law unless you voluntarily continue to register your property with the federal government!

It is time to eliminate this state-level trap once and for all.

The good news is that State Representative Rob Kauffman (R-89) is introducing a vital bill to FIX Title 18, Section 908 by completely removing suppressors and short-barreled shotguns from the list of prohibited offensive weapons!

This legislation is long overdue:

• Eliminates the Legal Trap: Removing suppressors and SBSs from Section 908 permanently decouples state law from shifting federal NFA regulations, ensuring gun owners aren’t criminalized regardless of federal court decisions.
• Hearing Protection: Suppressors are essential safety gear designed to prevent permanent hearing loss, reduce noise pollution at target ranges, and improve accuracy.
• Restoring Freedom: Harrisburg has no business restricting safety equipment and firearms that are routinely used for self-defense, hunting, and sport.

The anti-gun Democrats and Harrisburg gun grabbers thrive on confusing statutes that penalize peaceful citizens while doing absolute nothing to deter real criminals. For far too long, Section 908 has hung over the heads of gun owners who are simply exercising their God-given rights.

Rep. Kauffman’s bill will restore sanity to state law—but we need to build overwhelming momentum RIGHT NOW while the co-sponsorship memorandum is actively circulating!

We must ensure that every state lawmaker hears from their constituents before this bill hits the House floor. We cannot afford to let anti-gun politicians or weak-kneed legislators stall this pro-gun fix.

That’s why I need you to send a message to your State Representative immediately (by using the form above). Urge them to sign on as a CO-SPONSOR to Rep. Rob Kauffman’s bill to fix Title 18, Section 908 and remove suppressors and short-barreled shotguns from state prohibition.

Simply voting yes when a bill reaches the floor isn’t enough—our elected officials must actively champion the restoration of our constitutional freedoms from the start.

Please take action right now. Let your State Representative know that you expect them to stand up for your God-given rights, protect your hearing, and co-sponsor Rep. Kauffman’s bill today!