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What does it take to legally purchase a silencer in the USA?

I have some rifles that i enjoy shooting in my rural Iowa backyard, as well as in the near future planning on getting a Tactical USP45 handgun, which already comes with a threaded-end barrel and raised sights, ready for a supressor. I had always dismissed the supressors i'd seen in gun magazines or on gun auction sites, assuming you would need to have an FFL to posess one (i understand though that anything like that will need to be shipped to an FFL, i have a friend with one for that) but lately on here i have seen people talk as though a simple $200 tax stamp allowed a 22 year old USA citizen such as my clean-criminal-record self to then purchase a professionaly built silencer/supressor for my firearms (most likely just the USP to start) since while i always use hearing protection, it would be nice if i didn't HAVE to (bad ear though mandates it with anything louder than .22LR). So where would i start in trying to facilitate my owning a silencer? And i'm not building one! Naughty! And yes i understand that the effects are not anything like hollywood portrays, but i'm just saying that if there was a way i could have a silenced USP45 that allowed me to shoot in my yard (i have enough room to set up some cardboard targets for a tactical course, i know of some people in town who are really into this stuff also). I have a weak left eardrum that pops for a few hours if i shoot anything from a .38sp or .223rem or larger, so if i could reduce my .223 or a .45acp to being a sound closer to that of a .22LR or .17HMR, then i can safely fire without hearing protection. I'm not going to be heartbroken if this is a next-to-impossible kind of thing, where if i'd be better off trying to get an FFL license first is the amount of work it takes, i can just settle with not having one. I primarily just want it for putting on the Tactical USP45 for the sake of it then being more unique, cool, and more of a militaria sort of thing in regards to collecting guns. Like how it's cool to have a bayonet for a gun you probably would only use for hunting deer (like a G3 .308)

Public Comments

  1. When I first read your question I thought it was to keep your mother-in-law quiet.
  2. Get a packet of forms from your local BATF office, fill it out, and send it in with the fee. Let me tell you right off the bat, that you will just lose your money, and never meet all the requirements for getting it.
  3. thats a tuff one, in austrlalia they are defenitnly illegal if you ask for a silencer, try asking your local arms dealer or gun shop for any sound muzzling devices. i am trying to get a silencer on my .243 becasue i have already blown my left ear drum for good. if you live out in the country you may be able to get a permit to have one or something from you local sherif if you tell him its for your ears.
  4. Your friend with his FFL will not be able to sell it to you unless he has the class 3 lic. You need to find a class three dealer to purchas your suppressor from. You have to have a background check and pay a $200 tax (Tax stamp). This will allow the BATF to come to your house atleast once a year to inspect your storage and safety for this class 3 item. You have to go to your local SO or PD and have your finger printes taken. You also need to check state and local laws regarding suppressors. Here is a link to GemTech a manufacture of suppressors. They have a list of dealers. Find out which one you want and see if they have a dealer list. then just go to the neerist dealer and they can talk you threw everything. http://www.gem-tech.com/dealer.html
  5. First, the proper term for this device is SUPPRESSOR, not 'silencer'. No firearm can be 'silenced', but only have its' report 'suppressed'. Contact your local Class 3 dealer for information. As you will be dealing with one or more Class 3 dealers, your best bet would be to let them help you with the procedures & paperwork, as they are completely informed on all of it, dealing with this on a dail basis in the sales of suppressors, as well as select-fire weapons (machine guns) and other 'destructive devices'. This is not that involved a procedure, including mainly a background check by the Feds (BATFE & FBI) and payment of a $200 one-time transfer stamp (which is NOT a 'license') upon receipt and purchase of the device. Be prepared to do this twice, as you will need two different suppressors, one for the rifles, and one for the pistol (By the way, a most exellent choice in weapons!) The pistol 'can' will not work on the rifles, & vice-versa. On the other hand, you may be able to purchase the H-K in a matched kit pistol-suppressor combo. I have seen several for sale several places, including: http://www.gunbroker.com Which also lists separate suppressors for sale, as well. P.S: With a professionally constructed suppressor, you won't need hearing protection. With my suppressed H-K USP or Glock 17, one can hear ejected spent brass hitting a carpeted floor, not to mention that the sound is louder on concrete than the weapon's report.
  6. This is how I got mine. I went online to Impactguns.com and Picked out the supressor that I wanted (an AWC Abraxas Titanium for 9mm @ $600). Impact guns.com then set me up with a class III dealer in my area and I filled out the paperwork (which required a law enforcement official's signature like the chief of police in your town or the county sheriff) and I bought the suppressor through impact guns. the class III dealer then held the supressor for me until the BATF clearance came through and I had passed the background check. They are a blast I liked the abraxas because it is constructed out of titanium and it is very light (just over 3 oz) but stronger than hell. and it is relatively short plus it is a dry supressor so you do not need to put oil or water into it to make it function, and I am pretty sure that they make it in .45. Good luck and enjoy your new toy. By the way it took about 3 months for the paperwork to go through.
  7. If it can't be called a silencer then why does gemtech state "Welcome to the home page of Gemtech. We are the recognized world leader in modern firearm silencer design." In fact gemtech does not use the word suppressor on their home page at all. Hmm gemtech must not know anything about suppressors. Someone should email them and tell them that it does not make the gun silent.
  8. FACT: There are currently 35 states here in the United States that under Federal Law, Allow Civilians to not only own, but allow them to BUILD Silencers and Supressors legally. There are of course many states that do not allow them and they are ILLEGAL, subject to State laws. To "Legally" own a Suppressor/Silencer it is required that you make application to BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives). This application will result in a complete criminal background investigation. Require the applicant to submit fingerprints as part of the application process..Once approved the Applicant must pay a one time Fee of $200.00 for federal Tax Stamp for each Suppressor-Silencer the applicant wishes to own.. Silencers/Suppressors can be purchased from licensed Class III Dealers or ordered by them to fit your individual firearms........ If you wish to build one yourself, in addition to the above described application you must submit an additional Form BATFE #1 (Application to build/construct). And if you want to later transfer or sell your silencer/suppressor you must submit a BATFE Form #4....The right way and 100% LEGAL The MYTH's are.... 2 liter Soda Bottle Silencers Duct-taped to a handgun. Cramming a potato on the end of your firearm barrel for a one-shot disposable silencer-suppressor...among others to numerous to mention To view how these Silencers-Suppressors are constructed and used check out the below listed websites. http://www.silencertests.com http://www.subguns.com NOTE* Silencers/Suppressors do not in many cases reduce the sound of a gunshot report 100%. It should be noted however that regular ammunition can in fact be reduced thru a Silencer/Suppressor in addtion to Subsonic ammunition. NOTE* The process of getting approved usually does take 60-90 days to complete, however it is not hard or impossible to do as some answerers have advised
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