What do I have to go through to get a supressor?

[MagKnightX]

What hoops do I have to go through to get a (100%legal, please) supressor? What forms need to be filled out, what taxes have to be paid, and what agencies do I have to submit all my private info to?

What about legally manufacturing one? Is that possible? What licenses will I need?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TarpleyG]

Me too.

I was wondering the same thing. All I know is that there is a $200 tax on it and some BATFE paperwork stuff and a LOOOONG wait.

GT

 

[lasports]

You have to go through a Class 3 dealer and live in a state which allows its posession. The paperwork and tax stamp is the same as applying for a full auto machine gun.

It is illegal to manufacture your own suppressor unless you hold the proper ATF license. Contact your closest BATF office for more information.

Regards,

 

[Sisco]

I don't know all the details but the PD in a small town near here wanted a suppressed Ruger 10/22 for "urban aninmal control".
They had to go through the BATF for permission, which was granted.
I'll see if I can find out more details.

 

[444]

This is how it works, or at least this is how it worked for me.
First you need to find a Class III dealer. You also might want to research the subject so you have an idea of what you want to buy. There is a lot on the internet, but The Small Arms Review is also a good magazine to read reviews on products that are out there. When you decide what you want to buy you need to do a Form 4. You need to have the chief law enforcement officer where you live sign off on the form 4. I had the county sherriff sign mine. He is signing that there is no local law forbiding you from owning this item. He is not signing that he approves of you having it, or that he is responsible for your actions. You need to be fingerprinted on the correct ATF fingerprint cards; you need at least two sets. You need to have passport photos taken. You need to include $200.
You have the filled out and signed Form 4, you have your photos attached to it, you have fingerprint cards, you have the $200; you put it all in an envelope and mail it off to ATF.
Months go by.
Eventually the dealer will get back one copy of the Form 4, just like you sent it to them, only they will have filled out one section of the form and there will be a tax stamp on the upper left hand corner of the form. The tax stamp looks just like a postage stamp.
Here is a link where you can print out the forms. You can fill out the form on-line. Just go to the area to be filling on the form and type the correct information. You can then print out the completed form all ready for the signatures. Very professional. http://www.titleii.com/

 

[AlienSoul]

How do you find out if your state is on the legal list?

 

[OF]

The fact that we have to do this makes me gag.

- Gabe

 

[MagKnightX]

How do you find out if your state is on the legal list?

I think www.recguns.com might have that info, all I can remember is reading it somewhere online. However, my state, VA, allows all Title 2, but officially you are not allowed to use a FA firearm within state limits, even at a target range, I believe. But supressors are A-O.K. Thanks for the help, everyone.

 

[Kobun]

Walk into the store, look at the supressor, show your license, pay, leave, go shoot.

Oh, your in the US.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Check out Bardwell's NFA FAQ for everything you want to know about NFA items.


Kobun, S'kay, though. Still my first choice in places to live.

 

[M67]

Kobun, you forgot to mention that a good rimfire suppressor is supposed to cost $50 out the door...

 

[Schuey2002]

$50?? A good rimfire suppressor over here is going to run you $300-$500 or more.. :banghead:

 

[Kobun]

I would say they are about $100.
The $50 ones I've seen are really crappy.

 

[M67]

Kobun, I'm sure you're more up to date on prices than I am. But $100 is still inexpensive by American standards. I don't know why suppressors are so expensive over there. Maybe the "exotic-factor" has something to do with it. And with that $200 sin tax, maybe customers simply accept that suppressors are expensive and pay up.

OTOH, since we don't have that particular tax here, a cheap person can always buy a crappy $50 suppressor, wear it out, throw it away and buy a new one.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

One reason the cost is so high is that it costs the manufacturer $200 to register the suppressor when it is manufactured (the customer gets to pay another $200 for the transfer). Then add on the overhead the manufacturer has to put up with (federal-state-local licenses, paperwork to make, paperwork to transfer, liability insurance, labor, material, etc) and he has to charge a pretty high price just to make a small profit.

 

[feedthehogs]

If your local law enforcement won't sign off on the form 4, as mine did not, a corporation can buy class 3 items.

Local Sheriff claims its a liability issue if they approve and I use in a crimminal fashion, they can be sued. (We're working on the problem)
What a red herring to deny me my rights.

I just opened a corp and used that. No personal background or finger prints.

A loop hole stemming from the early days of labor riots.

 

[M67]

Hkmp5sd, are you saying that the tax is $400, not 200? Just curious.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

When an NFA item is made and initially registered, a $200 tax is paid. Then every time it is transfered to another owner, another $200 (or $5 for AOW) is paid. So the manufacturer gets to pay $200 when he makes the NFA item, which he just adds to the price he sells it for.

 

[Henry Bowman]

Can the manufacturing tax be avoided by importing the suppressor (with a mountain of paperwork) or has importation been completely banned also?
$200 transfer tax + $50 to $100 price in Norway + shipping

 

[CleverNickname]

One reason the cost is so high is that it costs the manufacturer $200 to register the suppressor when it is manufactured.

I was under the impression that the $200 manufacturing tax was only for individuals making a title II item on a form 1. Licensed manufacturers who manufacture a title II item manufacture them tax free on a form 2. That's one of the benefits of being a licensed manufacturer, that you don't have to pay the manufacturing tax.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

CleverNickname,

You are correct, I screwed up. Never read the whole part about NFA manufacturers. Those with the proper SOT can make and import NFA weapons and register them without paying the tax. Only us non-licensees have to pay the $200 when manufacturing NFA weapons.


Henry Bowman,

AFAIK, NFA items can only be imported for LEO/government agencies(26 U.S.C. sec. 5844). They do not meet the "sporting" requirement of the '68 GCA.

 

[Henry Bowman]

Hkmp5sd,

I remember that now. Thanks.