Why It Matters: With firearm suppressors continuing to gain popularity among recreational shooting sports participants and hunters alike, there is a new push underway to rewrite state laws that would reconcile any potential issue with state statute that may arise if suppressors are no longer regulated through the National Firearms Act, through already initiated Congressional action or one of several pending lawsuits. Recently, amendments to Kansas House Bill 2501 included language that would remove the criminal prohibition against firearm suppressors in the Sunflower State. Following the adoption of these amendments, HB 2501 was passed by the Senate on March 19 and returns to the House for concurrence.
Highlights:
- Recently, language supported by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) regarding the decriminalization of suppressors was amended into Kansas House Bill 2501.
- Following the adoption of the suppressor amendments, HB 2501 was passed by the Senate and returns to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
- In addition to the suppressor provisions, HB 2501 would also increase liability protections for Federal Firearms License holders and decriminalize possession of short-barreled shotguns in Kansas.
On Wednesday, March 19th, members of the Kansas State Senate passed House Bill 2501 by a vote of 37-3. HB 2501 included several important priorities for sportsmen and women in the Sunflower State, including the decriminalization of firearm suppressors and short-barreled shotguns and increased liability protections for Federal Firearm License holders.
This year, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation has worked closely with partners at the American Suppressor Association to update state suppressor language following the passage of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025 that lowered the cost of the federally required National Firearms Act (NFA) tax stamps for suppressors and short-barreled firearms, significantly increasing consumer demand and opening the door for legal challenges on the NFA itself .
With the passage of HB 2501 in the Senate, the amendments made to the bill require it to be returned to the House of Representatives for concurrence before the legislation can be fully passed. CSF and partners will continue to advocate in support of this legislation and similar efforts across the nation as 2026 legislative sessions continue.
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