H.R. 9208

In plain English

Help Empower Americans to Respond Act of 2026 or the HEAR Act of 2026 This bill prohibits the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of a firearm silencer or firearm muffler. The prohibition does not apply to the following conduct: importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; and importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials. A violation is punishable by criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. In addition, a firearm or ammunition used in a violation is subject to seizure and forfeiture. The bill requires the Department of Justice to establish and implement a buy-back program to purchase firearm silencers and firearm mufflers from individuals who seek to comply with the prohibition. Under the bill, states and local governments may use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender silencers and mufflers under the program.

Congressional Research Service summary from Congress.gov (not yet simplified).

Sponsor and status

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How South Carolina voted

No recorded roll-call vote on this bill yet. Most bills never get one.

Who lobbied

Lobbying reports name the bills a client worked on. They don't say which side anyone took.

No lobbying reported on this bill in the reports we have loaded (January 2025 through September 2026). Lobbyists report each quarter, about 20 days after it ends, so any lobbying since October 2026 will be added once those reports are filed.