Legal Disclaimer: Please understand that we are not lawyers and the information in this blog article is not presented as legal advice nor should it be construed as such. The content of this article is strictly meant to inform and entertain. If you need legal advice please consult an attorney. Laws change constantly and we make no promises that the information below is or will remain accurate. To protect your freedom, you must do your own research.

Have you ever wanted to shoot without having to wear hearing protection all the time? Ever wished that .45-70 wasn’t so loud that folks in the neighboring county didn’t hear it every time you pulled the trigger? Sounds like a cannon going off! If only there was a way to reduce that noise that was legal! Good news, there is!

How do I buy a suppressor?

Buying a suppressor is actually not as difficult as some might assume. Many great companies make well-built, reliable suppressors such as; Q, Rugged Suppressors, OSS, SilencerCo and more. Your state laws permitting — You can purchase a suppressor on websites and in gun shops for everything from your .300 Blackout AR-15 pistol, to your Ruger 10/22, your 9mm Glock 19 or even your shotgun. To learn how to purchase a silencer, read on to find out how long it will take and what to expect throughout the purchasing process. 

A suppressor on an AR-15. Photo Credit - GunDigest.com

Registering your NFA Item or suppressor

Because silencers must be registered with the Federal Government, you will have to do some paperwork. There are three different ways to purchase your silencer; through a trust, in the name of a corporation, or as an individual. Let’s have a look at all three.

Buying a Suppressor as a trust, do I need to?

Surely you have heard about trusts in your readings already. Buying a suppressor in the name of a trust is one of the most common ways to purchase these devices and does indeed have a number of advantages. Each person listed on the trust may possess and use the silencer. This means anyone whom you add to your trust by name may use the silencer without your direct presence required! Companies such as Silencer Central will not only sell you a suppressor but they’ll set up a trust for you free of charge! Pros of the trust include:

• Adding anyone to the trust to be able to legally use the suppressor.

• Easy to do - companies will do it for you!

• Add or remove users whenever you like.

• Able to add more NFA - items to the trust with ease.

• Suppressor does not need to be destroyed or surrendered upon your death - it can stay in the family.

• Make changes to the trust at any time you choose.

A Q Suppressor. Photo Credit - Tacticalgun.com

Buying a suppressor as an individual.

Registering your suppressor or other NFA item to yourself saves the hassle of a trust or corporation - but is it really worth it? Registering the suppressor to yourself means you must be physically in the presence of anyone else that can use it. Things to keep in mind:

• No one else may use the suppressor without your direct supervision.

• Upon death the suppressor must be surrendered or destroyed.

An internally suppressed Ruger 10/22 Takedown rifle. Photo Credit - Wideopenspaces.com

Buying a suppressor as a corporation.

A slightly more complicated method of registering your suppressor is to do so in the name of a corporation. Remember we are beholden to all taxes and fees required to keep the business registered and in good standing or if the corporation becomes defunct, you will have to begin the process all over again to transfer the suppressor to yourself, another corporation, or trust. Owning a business already that would have use of these items and this might be the way to go. Some things to know:

• Involves forming a business and all the paperwork involved - registered agents etc.

• Requires filing business taxes and fees.

• Business must be kept active and in good standing with the state.

• Any corporate officers you appoint may use the suppressor.

Are Suppressors legal?

Despite what our neighbor’s cousin’s second ex-husband might tell you after his fourth Busch Light, suppressors are not illegal under federal law! In fact, in 42 of 50 states currently silencers are perfectly legal to own as long as we adhere to and abide by all local, state and federal laws! So what do some of those regulations entail?

Well, in 1934 the National Firearms Act was implemented to regulate and restrict certain firearms and devices. Part of the NFA was to implement a $200 tax stamp for suppressors, (a lot of money at the time) to discourage people from buying them, and that tax still remains to this day. 

• Select and purchase your suppressor through whatever retailer you decide to purchase from and have it shipped to your local FFL/SOT.

• Your SOT will receive the suppressor on an ATF Form 3.

• Upon receipt of your suppressor you’ll fill out an ATF Form 4 (or eForm), attach your fingerprints, a passport-style photo, and a check for $200 to the ATF.

• Now begins the wait. The best advice we can give you now, is to forget your suppressor exists as this wait can be very long and excruciating but in a few months you will be able to bring your new silencer home with your brand-new NFA Tax Stamp. If you're lucky, some Redditors have reported receiving their cans within as little as three or four months. But generally speaking we've see people wait anywhere between 9 to 14 months.

Osprey Suppressor on a Glock 19 pistol. Photo Credit - thefirearmblog.com

Is it worth buying a suppressor?

Wow, that seems like quite the wait and a lot of hoops to jump through just to get a suppressor - is it worth it? Those that shoot often or large caliber weapons, it certainly is! Some hunters are not necessarily going to want to wear hearing protection all the time but electronically amplified headsets have come a long way in their sound quality and it doesn't take large-caliber rifle fire to severely damage our hearing over a short amount of time. Even shooting handgun rounds can make that happen. Ask yourself: “is my hearing and others' hearing worth losing or severely damaging worth shooting without ear pro?” Do yourself a favor and save up for at least one can. Your ears will thank you immensely.

Start your suppressed AR build with Modulus Arms

Thank you for checking out this overview of purchasing a suppressor! Already getting antsy from the wait on your suppressor purchase? Check out the unique selection that Modulus Arms has to offer and maybe start building a tricked out one of a kind AR-15 or handgun to mount your new hush puppy on. Until next time!