CHICAGO, Ill. – In response to a bill proposed in the US House that would ease restrictions on firearm suppressors or “silencers”, Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, announced her opposition to the measure, saying it would make it easier for gun violence to go unnoticed.

“Gun silencers act as a tool that would increase the violence in our neighborhoods,” said Mah. “Chicago knows gun violence, and to take the risk of intensifying that violence is something we simply cannot do.”

Silencers are accessories added to a firearm that in principle “silence” the audible noise of a gun firing. Proponents of this legislation claim that sportsmen who use guns are at a health risk of hearing damage if they are not allowed to easily access and use silencers. Silencers are something that can be seriously misused and offer the opportunity for criminals to fire guns in the street, with virtually no noticeable noise. This poses a risk to many who live in a city with heightened gun violence. The policy is an initiative of two congressmen, one from Texas and one from South Carolina, but its affect would be nationwide. “The Hearing Protection Act,” gives the false sense that this bill has noble health concerned intentions.

“Gun violence is something that should be stopped in our neighborhoods,” said Mah. “This legislation of increasing access to silencers, would only encourage gun violence.”

Mah is serving her first term in the Illinois General Assembly as State Representative of the 2nd District, which includes the Chicago neighborhoods of Pilsen, Chinatown, Bridgeport, McKinley Park, Brighton Park and Back of the Yards.