A few questions about suppressors

[NorthBorder]

I have never handled a suppressor or even considered getting one so I don't know the ins and outs of the process.
Generally, how long does it take to get a tax stamp to purchase a suppressor?
Is a tax stamp good only for one suppressor or multiple suppressors?
Are suppressor serial numbered and, if so, does the application process require you to supply a serial # in advance? Or, having the tax stamp in hand, can you then go to pick out whatever suppressor you want?
Finally, after the fact, does ATF have any justification to come visit periodically to inspect your premises?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Varminterror]

Generally, how long does it take to get a tax stamp to purchase a suppressor?

Processing time varies. I have never had one take more than a year, but I know some folks have. My shortest has been ~134 days from mailbox to mailbox, my longest has been about 10 months.

Is a tax stamp good only for one suppressor or multiple suppressors?

Each stamp is ONLY “good for” one respective serialized NFA item. One specific stamp, one specific can.

Are suppressor serial numbered[?]

Yes.

does the application process require you to supply a serial # in advance?

Yes.

Or, having the tax stamp in hand, can you then go to pick out whatever suppressor you want?

No, you cannot apply without having a specific design and serial number (Form 1 homemade) or specific brand, model, and serial number (form 4). You could never get a stamp in hand without a serial number. One specific stamp for one specific can.

You pick out a can, pay the SOT for it, send in your application - the SOT holds your can until your stamp comes back, at which point you can go pick it up.

does ATF have any justification to come visit periodically to inspect your premises?

No, this is an old wives tale with no reality behind it. Owning a suppressor or other NFA item does not waive your 4th Amendment rights. This is a myth convoluted with warrantless inspections of FFL licensees, but which does not apply to NFA stamp holders.

 

[Boomholzer]

Generally, how long does it take to get a tax stamp to purchase a suppressor?
- My last one was 9mo, looks like its currently around 6mo.
https://www.nfatracker.com/

Is a tax stamp good only for one suppressor or multiple suppressors?
- One form, one item. One stamp.
Are suppressor serial numbered and, if so, does the application process require you to supply a serial # in advance?
-Yes
Or, having the tax stamp in hand, can you then go to pick out whatever suppressor you want?
- No, you buy it and the SOT FFL holds it until you get approved.
Finally, after the fact, does ATF have any justification to come visit periodically to inspect your premises?
- I imagine they can do whatever the F they want. I don't know of any precedence for this.

HTH

 

[BreechFace]

The only thing that @Varminterror didn't cover, but wasn't asked is, once you suppress, one wants to suppress everything. Such a joy to shoot without all the blast and noise.

 

[Varminterror]

Finally, after the fact, does ATF have any justification to come visit periodically to inspect your premises?
- I imagine they can do whatever the F they want. I don't know of any precedence for this.

No, not they cannot. Please stop propagating false myths.

NFA item owners are not SOT/FFL’s, and do not have the same legal obligations. SOT/FFL’s have an obligation to maintain the inventory they claim to be maintaining (aka, they cannot take in or manufacture unregistered NFA items, and cannot transfer NFA items to buyers without stamps), so their licensed place of business is subject to audit/inspection without probable cause or warrant. If their chosen licensed place of business is their private residence, then their choice comes with the inadvertent technical consequence that their residence can be searched without warrant. But NFA stamp holders are not SOT/FFL’s, and have no obligation to maintain a reconcilable inventory. Police and ATF still need a warrant to search/inspect the premises of an NFA item owner.

The ATF and police cannot search an NFA item owner’s home without probable cause and corresponding warrant. Our 4th Amendment rights are not waived.

It is also a myth (at least for a vast majority of areas) that submission of the application to the local Sheriff’s dept makes any NFA item owner subject to harassment or search by police. There’s no evidence that police come looking at law abiding stamp owners when crimes are committed. Unless of course, your registered, serialized suppressor were left behind at the scene of a crime... aka, probable cause.

 

[CraigC]

The only thing that @Varminterror didn't cover, but wasn't asked is, once you suppress, one wants to suppress everything. Such a joy to shoot without all the blast and noise.

I can attest to that!

 

[jmorris]

One thing I will add, to the must have a serial number/can pick one out question, that doesn’t apply to form 4 suppressors but to form 1 ones, is that while you must have a serial number on a form 1, the suppressor must not exist until after you get the approved form 1 back from them.

Once you get it back, then you can start. If you fill out the form without being very specific, like putting “N/A” in length and there is no place to add information about any other internal or external dimension. Then all you need is a bore listed and everything else is up to your choosing, once you get it back approved.

 

[Varminterror]

to the must have a serial number/can pick one out question, that doesn’t apply to form 4 suppressors

Clarifying:

We have to have the serial on the application before submitting the Form 4 as well. The nuance of not manufacturing before approval and issued stamp is apt, but all Form 1 and Form 4 applications must have the serial number listed before submission - Item 4g on the Form 4 application. So we DO have to have the serial number to submit the Form 4.

Also for both, possession of the suppressor, whether transferred or self-manufactured, cannot happen for either Form 1 or Form 4 cans before the stamp is issued. For a Form 4 transfer (purchase of a suppressor), the SOT holds the can until the stamp is issued. For a Form 1, the self-manufacturer cannot yet make the can until the stamp is issued. Simply, a person can’t have the can until they have the stamp.

 

[Boomholzer]

No, not they cannot. Please stop propagating false myths.

NFA item owners are not SOT/FFL’s, and do not have the same legal obligations. SOT/FFL’s have an obligation to maintain the inventory they claim to be maintaining (aka, they cannot take in or manufacture unregistered NFA items, and cannot transfer NFA items to buyers without stamps), so their licensed place of business is subject to audit/inspection without probable cause or warrant. If their chosen licensed place of business is their private residence, then their choice comes with the inadvertent technical consequence that their residence can be searched without warrant. But NFA stamp holders are not SOT/FFL’s, and have no obligation to maintain a reconcilable inventory. Police and ATF still need a warrant to search/inspect the premises of an NFA item owner.

The ATF and police cannot search an NFA item owner’s home without probable cause and corresponding warrant. Our 4th Amendment rights are not waived.

It is also a myth (at least for a vast majority of areas) that submission of the application to the local Sheriff’s dept makes any NFA item owner subject to harassment or search by police. There’s no evidence that police come looking at law abiding stamp owners when crimes are committed. Unless of course, your registered, serialized suppressor were left behind at the scene of a crime... aka, probable cause.

I believe the secondary statement covered the previous in context.