1. Is it legal to own a silencer?
Under federal law, it has never been illegal to own a silencer. If it is legal for you to buy a handgun, and you live in a state that allows suppressor ownership, then it is probably legal for you to own a silencer. The basic requirements are as follows:
- You must be at least 21 years old
- You must live in a state that allows ownership
- You must not have any felony convictions
2. Which states allow silencer ownership?
The following states allow private ownership of silencers: AL, AR, AK, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT*, WA, WI, WV and WY.
*The use of suppressors for hunting goes into effect July 1st, 2020.
Of the remaining states; CA may allow silencer ownership for people in possession of a valid FFL.
3. Do I need a special license to own a silencer?
No! There are some rumors that you need to have a “Class 3” license to own a silencer, but this simply isn’t true. You do have to pay for a “tax stamp” when you first buy the suppressor – but there are no ongoing fees or licenses required. This tax is similar to paying sales tax on a purchase, except that it goes to the federal instead of the state government.
Simply complete your demographic and fingerprint information at a Silencer Shop kiosk and you'll be ready to buy your silencer.
You can use paper ATF FD-258 fingerprint cards; however, the Silencer Shop kiosk ensures you accurately capture your prints.
4. Do I give up any rights when I buy a silencer? (Will the ATF start showing up to search my house?)
No.
This often comes up because of the mistaken belief that a “Class 3″ license is required to purchase a suppressor. A “Class 3″ license is a dealer license – and the ATF absolutely can show up to search a dealer’s premises, but silencer buyers don’t give up any rights at all.
5. Can I use one silencer for multiple firearms?
Yes. As long as the firearms are threaded in a way that will accept the silencer, you shouldn’t have any problems.
6. Can I use one silencer for multiple calibers?
You can use a larger caliber suppressor to suppress a smaller caliber firearm as long as you have the appropriate adapters. Using a larger caliber silencer is not as efficient as a silencer made for the specific caliber, but it will still be a significant sound reduction in most cases.
7. What is the difference between a suppressor and a silencer?
There is no difference between a silencer and a suppressor; they are interchangeable.
The word “silencer” is the legal term, but either “sound suppressor” or just “suppressor” is more technically accurate since they don’t actually silence the firearm; they suppress the gunshot. You can use either term with us and we’ll promise not to care.
8. How quiet is a suppressed firearm?
This depends on the firearm and the suppressor. In most cases, the suppressed firearm will be at least as quiet as wearing a good pair of muffs.
For the quietest shooting experience, we recommend starting with 22 LR suppressors.
9. How will a silencer attach to my firearm(s)?
Once again, this depends on the firearm and the suppressor. The most popular methods include the following:
- Some silencers will thread directly onto a threaded barrel
- Some silencers require a quick-detach device (like a flash hider, muzzle brake or piston)
- Some silencers are built into the firearm itself, providing an integral suppressor
10. How long does it take to register a suppressor?
Right now, suppressors are being approved in just a few days for both trust and individual submissions. For the most up-to-date suppressor approval times, check out our ATF Wait Time Tracker.
Contact us if you have specific questions on the silencer purchasing or registration process.
