#TBT: Donald Trump Jr. Has Been the Top Spox for NRA Effort to Gut Federal Silencer Laws in Order to Profit Gun Manufacturers

WASHINGTON — As Donald Trump Jr. faces new questions about his interaction with Russians tied to Putin’s regime, the gun lobby may be looking for a new top spokesperson for its effort to increase gun manufacturer profits by gutting federal silencer laws.

The gun lobby reportedly spent $50 million on the 2016 election and $30 million to elect Donald Trump. But as gun manufacturers face dwindling profits under the Trump administration, NRA leadership is pushing for radical legislation that would profit gun manufacturers by stripping all silencer provisions from the National Firearms Act (NFA), and the Gun Control Act (GCA) — laws that have been effective in keeping silencers out of criminal hands, while allowing law-abiding citizens to access silencers, for decades.

Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced NRA-backed silencer legislation earlier this year, while Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Crapo introduced an even more radical bill two weeks ago, just before leaving town for the July 4 recess.

The highest profile supporter of the gun lobby’s effort to gut federal silencer laws has been none other than Donald Trump Jr.:

• Donald Trump Jr. has had a close relationship with Josh Waldron — the CEO of SilencerCO, the largest silencer manufacturer in the country — dating back years.
  
• Trump Jr. starred in a 38-minute infomercial video for SilencerCO with Waldron, during which Waldron interviewed Trump Jr. about silencers.
  
• In the video, Trump Jr. said that silencers could help get “little kids into the game.”
  
• He even pledged President Trump’s support for NRA-supported legislation to roll back federal silencer laws, saying, “We want to go through Congress. We want to do it the right way. But if you line up the votes, [President Trump is] obviously going to be for it.”

STATEMENT FROM JOHN FEINBLATT, PRESIDENT OF EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:

“Just one question for NRA leadership: Do you think it’s time to find a new spokesperson?”

Silencers make it harder for law enforcement officers to do their jobs and protect public safety. That’s why law enforcement officers and major law enforcement organizations have repeatedly opposed the rollback of silencer safety laws.

Police and first responders are expected to hear, locate, and react quickly to gunshots. In a live fire situation, the sound of gunshots gives police important information; silencers make it harder for police to respond. In addition, it’s often the sound of gunshots that prompts calls to 911. Without those calls, first responders can be delayed.