From memory, back in the 1980s and 1990s it was very difficult to get a full bore suppressor at all / legally on firearms licence. .22RF, yes but no full bore.
This started to change and rapidly in the 1990s due to health and safety at work legislation involving forestry commission type workers suing employers etc over hearing loss. Also big issue in the UK military upto that date.
I would really like those police tactical hearing aid size ear protection - one way Val e. You can bear asleep the normal sounds until the gun is discharged. On range I wear eye muffs cans.
