The provision in the budget bill recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives allowing firearm suppressors, often mistakenly called silencers, does not mean school shooters would go undetected.

Contrary to the nonsense we see in spy movies where suppressed firearms make a “pfft” sounds, a rifle chambered in .223 / 5.56, the cartridge most common in AR-15 platforms, the unsuppressed sound reaches about 165 db, while a suppressed shot might register around 135-145 db. Meanwhile, a jackhammer registers at 120-130 db.

The suppressor merely helps firearm users minimize hearing loss, and in fact they should still use other hearing protection, as prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 db can cause noise-induced hearing loss, and a single very loud sound above 120 db can also cause immediate hearing damage.

Bill Marr

Altoona