TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
Are these things legal?
Yes. Silencers are legal for private ownership in all but 16 states.Don't I have to have some kind of special license to own a silencer?
No. You have to fill out less paperwork than you would to buy a car, and pay a ONE TIME $200
transfer tax to the Department of Treasury.Who can own a silencer?
Anyone who is a legal U.S. resident, over 21 years of age, a non-felon, and lives in a state that
allows private ownership of silencers.How quiet is a silenced gun?
The dominant noise heard with a rimfire silencer is the click of the bolt opening and closing and the
thump of bullet impact downrange. Centerfire pistol caliber silencers are almost as discreet and
pack a much heavier punch downrange. Centerfire rifle caliber firearms will realize a significant
decrease in muzzle blast, muzzle flash, and recoil, but the silencer does nothing to mitigate the
ballistic crack (sonic boom) produced by a projectile traveling above the speed of sound
(approximately 1087 feet per second).Why would anyone want a silencer?
A silenced firearm is eminently more enjoyable to shoot than one without a silencer. Shooters
are able to concentrate more on breath control and trigger pull when they are not subjected to
the fatigue and distraction of a loud, bright, muzzle blast. Beginning shooters are typically not
intimidated when introduced to the shooting sports with a silenced firearm, and are able to easily
hear instructions given to them by trainers since hearing protection is no longer needed. Silenced
firearms are also less likely to disturb any people, livestock, or wildlife that may be in close
proximity to where you shoot.
