Suppressors / Silencers

May 16, 2012

Texas Legalizes Hunting with Silencers starting September 1 2012

With Dove season just around the corner, Texas is becoming one of the growing list of states that allows the use of silencers when hunting.

A silencer is a Title II Firearms which is restricted by the National Firearms Act and can only be sold by dealers who have a Class 3 SOT license. (They can also be purchased second-hand from individuals using the same ATF Form 4). Because of their classification they require a $200 Tax stamp and approval from the ATF or BATFE before you can take possession of them.

Other states including Texas have previously allowed the use of silencers when shooting varmint but not on game. While the law was passed in March, Texas hunters have been patiently awaiting September 1st to legally use silencers while hunting.

February 23, 2012

NFA Trust Question: I have heard about a one-time $500 Tax For Unlimited Silencer Transfers

by David M. Goldman

First let me say there is no $500 one-time tax for unlimited transfers. There is a $500 yearly fee for a FFL to obtain a Class 3 SOT which allows them unlimited transfers for that year from other dealers for items owned by their FFL. This fee needs to be paid yearly and may be in addition to other fees necessary depending on what the FFL will be doing. If you are interested in setting up a FFL, please Contact Us as we can put you in touch with someone to help you create your FFL and have the systems necessary to not create problems with the BATFE. You can buy cheap products out there that will help create the FFL, but just because you create n FFL does not mean it will be done correctly and you will understand what your duties and responsibilities. Our package helps you protect yourself from unintentional violations.

In regards to personal ownership, it is unfortunate but you, your company, or your trust will need to pay $200 for each silencer you purchase.

February 3, 2012

Georgia Senate Passes legislation to legalize hunting with a silencer

by David M. Goldman

On Jan 31st the Georgia Senate passed a bill to authorize the use of silencers on hunting firearms under certain circumstances and repeal conflicting laws. On Feb 1st 2012 the bill was sent to the house. Here is a link to see the current status and the bill.

February 2, 2012

Indiana Senate passes bill regarding hunting with a silencer

by David M. Goldman

Looks like Indiana is about to legalize hunting with a silencer as long as used legally and with the permission of the owner of private property. Illegal use of a silencer would be either a Class C or Class B misdemeanor. For the text of the bill or current status follow this link.

January 20, 2012

Masterpiece Arms Suppressor announced at Shot Show

by David M. Goldman

Masterpiece Arms, manufacturer of Semi Automatic SMG Pistols and Carbines and Subcompact Conceal Carry Semi Auto Pistols, is expanding their product offering to include 3 new 22 LR Sound Suppressors starting at less $249.99.

These are low-cost suppressors but no data on sound suppression has been released intentionally They state:

As a relative newcomer to the suppressor market, one of the challenging decisions is whether or not to publish decibel reduction data. One of the things we have learned, as with many industries where technical data may tend to provide a false representation of the quality of a product, is that an appropriate level of skepticism to the reported db data provided by many suppressor manufacturers exists.

January 16, 2012

May a FFL repair a silencer by replacing worn or damaged components?

by David M. Goldman

A person who is licensed under the Gun Control Act (GCA) to manufacture firearms and who has paid the special (occupational) tax to manufacture National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms may replace a component part or parts of a silencer as long as the repairs do not result in removal, obliteration, or alteration of the serial number. If a silencer part bearing the serial number, other than the outer tube, must be replaced, the new part must be marked with the same serial number as the replacement part.

The term “repair” does not include replacement of the outer tube of the silencer. The replacement of the outer tube is so significant an event that it amounts to the “making” of a new silencer. As such, the new silencer must be marked, registered and transferred in accordance with the NFA and GCA.

In the event that identical replacement parts for a silencer are not available, new and different component parts may be used as long as the silencer retains the same dimensions and caliber. In addition, the repair may result in a minimal reduction in the length of the outer tube due to re-threading, but repair may not increase the length of the outer tube. Increasing the length of the outer tube significantly affects the performance of the silencer and results in the “making” of a new silencer. Reducing the length of the tube by a minimal amount in order to repair a silencer is often necessary to replace damaged end caps, as the tube must be re-threaded. Such minimal reduction of the length of the tube uses all of the original parts, does not significantly affect performance of the silencer, and may be done as part of a repair process without making a new silencer.

January 10, 2012

Suppressor for Saigai 12 and other ShotGuns

by David M. Goldman

American Specialty Ammo defines the Boom Stick as the Biggest and baddest suppressor of their line and can be used on the Saiga as well as older pump shotguns to reduce recoil, sound, and flash.

The Boom Stick is $799 making it one of the more reasonable shotgun silencers that I have seen.

September 2, 2011

Silencers Now Legal in Michigan

by David M. Goldman

Today, Attorney General of the State of Michigan, Bill Schuette wrote an opinion on the legality of Silencers in Michigan under MCL 750.224(1)(b) and other state laws in which he states:

The possession, manufacture, or sale of a firearm silencer is permitted in Michigan under MCL 750.224(1)(b) if the person is licensed or approved to possess, manufacture, or sell such a device by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as required by MCL 750.224(3)(c). Possession, manufacture, or sale of a firearm silencer by an unlicensed or unapproved person is a felony, punishable by up to five years imprisonment under MCL 750.224(2).

If you want to make or purchase a silencer in Michigan you should read the
Michigan Attorney Generals’ Option 7260

Because of the many requests we have found a dealer in MI who will be stocking silencers. If you find others please let us know.

Continue reading for growing list of dealers.
Continue reading

August 23, 2011

Silencers Sold Per State on Form 4s

by David M. Goldman

THe BATFE defines a fiscal year as October 1 – September 30 of the following year. The NSSF has compiled a chart showing the number of silencers sold in the past few years. Over the past few years there has been an increase in the number of silencers transferred in most states. In 2008 there were slightly more than 15,000 silencers and by the end of fiscal year 2010 there were more than 22,000 silencers transferred.

July 22, 2011

Missouri (MO) What NFA Class 3 Firearms can I own?

by David M. Goldman

NFA Class 3 firearms There are several type of Class 3 items that are restricted by the National Firearms Act.

Each state can impose additional restrictions on the sale, purchase, and transfer of class 3 firearms in addition to the compliance that is required with the national Firearms Act.

In Missouri you can own the following items that are regulated the the National Firearms Act