Suppressors are hearing protection tools. Medical professionals know this, and now Virginia lawmakers know it too. pic.twitter.com/Evrjp6rB6P
— American Suppressor Association (@AmSuppressor) February 11, 2026
Virginia Gun Owners Defeat $500 Suppressor Tax
Virginia Gun Owners Defeat $500 Suppressor Tax
The announcement that suppressors in the Commonwealth of Virginia will not be taxed is being considered a victory by many. The proposed suppressor tax has been removed, at least for now. It would seem Abigail Spanberger and her gang of anti-gun tyrants are getting the pushback they deserve. The Virginia gun grabbers might be starting to realize that taking advantage of the citizens they represent is not good optics for reelection, and gun owners across the Country are demanding Democrats obey and uphold the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Especially the 2nd Amendment.
In an X post, American Suppressor Association President, Knox Williams made the announcement that the proposed $500 tax on suppressors is dead.
In a House finance subcommittee hearing where they heard HB 207, Williams testified on behalf of the hearing protection and safety aspects of suppressors, and Gun Owners of America submitted testimony, among others. The result was unanimous in the committee to table the bill. At least for this legislative session, there will not be an attack on suppressors nor a financial penalty to Virginia gun owners for owning them.
The tax and registration of suppressors is nothing more than another attack on our 2nd Amendment and a way for anti-gun Legislators to punish the citizens they have been hired to represent. Gun grabbers in several blue states will go after anything they can, and it is about time we remind them of their boundaries and that there is a little thing called the Bill of Rights that protects us from these types of government overreach. Virginia gun owners are not shy when it comes to reminding their elected employees who they work for.
In a social media post, Williams thanked the committee members for recognizing the seriousness of this potential 2nd Amendment violation. He thanked the committee for their unanimous vote in favor of tabling HB 207.
Gun Owners of America (GOA) also got involved in this legislative battle. GOA’s official testimony to the committee on behalf of the organization and its members discussed several important factors including how the tax proposal is particularly harmful because it targets a highly regulated safety device and misunderstands how suppressor purchases already function under federal law.
GOA’s testimony pointed out the fact that HB 207 operates as a direct surcharge on Virginia businesses and Virginia consumers, placing in-state dealers at a competitive disadvantage and driving would-be customers and Virginia citizens toward other states to escape the draconian fees. They also reiterated the point that suppressors are widely recognized as safety devices that reduce noise pollution and hearing damage for lawful users, including hunters, sport shooters, and range operators.
GOA also pointed out the fact that HB 207 does not address criminal misuse, as suppressors are rarely used in violent crime and are already subject to extensive background checks and federal oversight. They even made the point that HB 207 represents poor fiscal policy, harms Virginia businesses, and should be rejected.
Chris Stone, Director of State Affairs for Gun Owners of America, said, “Gun Owners of America is proud of its Virginia members who flooded the House Finance Subcommittee and helped shut down this outrageous $500 tax on suppressors.” Stone went on to say, “This backdoor gun control scheme was an insult to law-abiding Virginians, and grassroots activists made sure legislators heard them loud and clear. HB 207 has been tabled for the 2026 session, but make no mistake, the anti-gun lobby is not backing down. Neither are we. We will continue fighting every gun control bill moving through the General Assembly and hold lawmakers accountable every step of the way.”
Although Virginia Democrats think they are above the Constitution, the People think otherwise. Gun-grabbers in the Commonwealth better buckle up if they think they will run roughshod over Virginia gun-owners and 2nd Amendment advocates. This is a battle they might want to reconsider.