Rep. Eli Crane urges lawmakers to remove barriers to civilian suppressor ownership

At a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) challenged prevailing narratives that portray suppressors as dangerous, labeling many elected officials as uninformed and influenced by Hollywood portrayals. He pressed panelists Knox Williams of the American Suppressor Association, retired Deputy Assistant ATF Director Peter Forcelli, and National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Lawrence Keane on the frequency of suppressor involvement in crimes.

Forcelli reported only two instances, neither violent, and Keane said he had never encountered a suppressed-firearm case. The witnesses highlighted that suppressors now number roughly 6.65 million in civilian hands and that their use has not risen in criminal activity, noting that a suppressor adds bulk to a pistol, making it less attractive to criminals. Crane concluded that lawmakers should “clear the way” for broader legal access to these devices.