Someone needs to tell Senator Dumbarse that there is no such thing as a “silencer”, except perhaps in the movies which is likely the source of all his knowledge in the subject. I wish I could buy a device that worked as well as the ones in movies do. The reality is there are only “supressors” which do reduce the hearing damaging noise but by no means make the firing of a weapon silent or undetectable. These are avaible to anyone able to buy a gun and willing to fill out paperwork and send it off with $200 and then wait several months to get a stamp to allow you to pick it up. That is all the hearing protection act does, eliminate the $200 and unrealistic waiting time.
You are absolutely correct. I used “silencer” in my post above yours, suppressor is the proper descriptor.