PARTS Act of 2025: Redefining Firearm Silencers Could Impact Gun Owners and Manufacturers

The "Protecting Americans Right To Silence Act of 2025," or PARTS Act, proposes a significant change to how federal law defines firearm silencers and mufflers. Instead of just focusing on the complete device, the bill redefines these terms to include individual components, specifically the outer tube or primary housing of a silencer. This shift could have wide-ranging implications for gun owners, manufacturers, and the enforcement of existing firearm regulations.

Rewriting the Rules

The core of the PARTS Act lies in its redefinition of what constitutes a "firearm silencer" and "firearm muffler." Under current law (Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 921(a)(25)), these terms generally refer to complete devices. The PARTS Act, however, expands this definition. It now includes:

• (A) Any device intended to silence a firearm and designed to be attached to a firearm (directly or with an adapter).
• (B) The outer tube or primary housing of a device that's intended to silence a firearm and attaches to it (directly or with an adapter). See SEC. 2. (A) & (B).

This means that even a single part, like the outer casing, could be legally considered a silencer. This is a major change from how these devices have typically been regulated.

Real-World Ripple Effects

Let's say a small machine shop owner currently manufactures and sells outer tubes for various purposes, some of which could be used in homemade silencers, but aren't exclusively designed for that. Under this new definition, those tubes, previously unregulated, might suddenly be classified as firearm silencers. This could force the shop owner to comply with a whole new set of regulations, potentially impacting their business. Or consider a gun owner who purchases a replacement outer tube for a damaged, legally-owned silencer. Under the PARTS Act, that replacement part alone might be subject to the same regulations as a complete silencer, potentially requiring additional paperwork, background checks, and waiting periods.

Potential Pitfalls

While the bill's stated goal might be to clarify regulations, the revised definitions could create new ambiguities. By focusing on individual components and the intent behind their design, the law might inadvertently sweep in items not originally meant to be regulated as silencers. This could lead to legal challenges and confusion for both manufacturers and gun owners. It can also be hard to prove "intent".

Furthermore, the redefinition could impact law enforcement's ability to regulate silencers effectively. By broadening the definition, the bill might create loopholes that allow individuals to circumvent existing restrictions by acquiring and assembling individual parts that, while technically meeting the new definition of a silencer component, are not sold or marketed as complete silencers.

The PARTS Act represents a significant shift in how firearm silencers are defined and regulated. While the long-term consequences remain to be seen, the immediate impact could be widespread confusion and potential legal challenges for those in the firearms industry and individual gun owners.