A suppressor makes you a more neighborly shooter, enhances accuracy and looks just sexy cool.
Obtaining one of these delightful contrivances can seem a daunting task, however.
Sound suppressor ownership is governed by theNational Firearms Act of 1934.
Owning a suppressor is easier than you might think. But, there are still many regulations that you need to understand to own one legally.
However, the rules laid down in 1934 drive everything about sound suppressor ownership today.
Like most things involving the government, the process is not hard.
It is simply tedious.
It’s easy to get carried away with this stuff. Once you get accustomed to shooting quiet guns like this suppressed XD-M Elite Tactical OSP 9mm, you’ll never want to go back.
Where to Start
Sound suppressors are currently legal to own in 42 of the 50 states.
The holdouts are the usual suspects of freedom-averse locales.
Stay strong, my brothers.
Any firearm with a threaded barrel is improved by the addition of a sound suppressor. ThisSpringfield Armory SOCOM16 is awesome, and this Silent Legion suppressor makes it all the more so.
Decisions, Decisions…
There are three ways to own a suppressor in America.
Owning the item as an individual is a little quicker and a little cheaper.
A rifle like this 5.56mm Springfield Armory SAINT rifle can serve as a fantastic foundation for a wide range of suppressors.
Each member of the trust must be fingerprinted and submit the requisite forms.
However, you’re free to add or remove people to and from the trust later.
you’re able to also register the suppressor to a corporation, but that has its own complications.
Pistol cans for centerfire handguns like this XD-M Elite 9mm typically include a Linear Inertial Decoupler for reliability.
The upside is that each officer in the corporation has access to the can.
However, if the corporation dissolves, the suppressor then requires another taxed transfer.
Previously you had to get the permission of your local Chief Law Enforcement Officer to do the transfer.
Its still a bit of a hassle but not nearly so much as was previously the case.
you’re able to start at the local Class III dealer or find the can you want online.
Buying the suppressor is the easy part.
You can get carried away with this stuff. This beast actually requires three separate tax stamps.
Once you buy the can, you fill out two BATFE Form 4s along with two Form 5330.20s.
These forms are available from the BATFE website.
Each Form 4 requires a passport photo, but thats nothing special.
Silencer Shop has these innovative kiosks in gun shops around the country that make the process of acquiring a suppressor much simpler. Image: @silencershop
I shoot a selfie on my phone and email it to Walgreens for processing.
Use tape, not staples, to hold the photo in place.
Your dealer will walk you through the technical information about the suppressor to put on the form.
You also need to obtain two standard FBI fingerprint cards.
Your local sheriff or police department will do these for you.
Thats a great opportunity to see what the inside of a jail looks like.
The wait will seem interminable.
Ours is an instant gratification society, and that most definitely does not apply to this process.
Plan on nine months to a year for traditional processing.
Their website walks you through the details.
They even have a smartphone app that lets you input your information from home.
Their website will help you find one.
They sell just about every sort of sound suppressor imaginable, all at excellent prices.
It just takes a little extra effort, a spare $200 and a whole lot of patience.
The end result, however, will make you a gun nerd of distinction.
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