You’re considering buying a suppressor. You can’t buy one at Walmart. To purchase a suppressor, you must fill out paperwork and pay a Federal Tax Stamp of $200. There is also a long wait. The good news is that owning a suppressor is now legal in 42 out of 50 states in the US — that’s 84 percent! Most Americans are able to purchase a suppressor, as long as they pass the background checks required (explained further below). The 42 “suppressor-friendly” states are shown as RED in the illustration below. States where Suppressor ownership is allowedThese 42 states allow private possession of suppressors. They are: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, Even if you reside in one of these states, you should check to make sure that owning a silencer is legal in your state. Some states may have restrictions based on municipal or county boundaries. “Suppressors have boomed since the 21st century.” Silencer Central, which streamlines the purchasing process, has helped to increase the number of suppressors registered from 285,000 in 2010. To over 2.6 millions in 2020. — GunsAmerica Digest.
California, Delaware Hawaii, Illinois Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island are the eight states that prohibit suppressor ownership. These states are highlighted in GRAY on the map. Qualifications for a Suppressor In order to legally obtain a suppressor you must complete Federal Forms and pay $200 to the ATF. You must also pass the BATFE background check and comply with all federal and state laws. State laws can regulate the use or ownership of suppressors, so check your local laws. The National Firearms Act of 1934 regulates the process of acquiring a suppressor at the federal level. According to the American Suppressor Association you must meet the following requirements to own a suppressor within the United States: 1. To purchase a suppressor, you must be at least 21 years old.
2. You must be at least 18 to purchase a suppressor on a Form 4 – Form 4 transfer.
3. As a beneficiary or member of a corporation, you must be at least 18 years old to possess a suppressor (depending on the state laws).
4. Be a US resident.
5. Be legally qualified to purchase a gun.
6. The BATFE background check typically takes 8 to 10 months.
7. Pay a $200 Transfer Tax once. This fifth requirement, “be legal to purchase a gun”, is based on a number of factors. The “prohibited persons” list is found on ATF Form 4473. * PURCHASING GUIDE: ATF Announces e-Form4 Platform for Suppressor registration
