FAQs

Is it legal for you to own a silencer?

The first thing you need to do is determine if suppressor ownership is legal where you live. Currently, the following states allow private ownership of suppressors: AL, AR, AK, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, and WY. Even if you live in one of these states, you should verify that owning a suppressor is legal in your area.

Many people are under the mistaken impression that they need a “Class 3” license in order to own a suppressor. This is not true. If you live in a state where suppressor ownership is legal, and you can legally own a firearm, then you can buy a suppressor.

 

How should you register your new silencer?

Once you’ve determined that you can legally own a suppressor, you should carefully consider what the best method will be for you to register a suppressor. There are three possible ways to register a suppressor, and each method has its own pros and cons:

1. Register the suppressor in your own name

  • Advantages
    1. You can avoid initial work required to setup a trust or corporation
  • Disadvantages
    1. Only you can be in possession of the suppressor
    2. Requires signature from chief law-enforcement officer where you live
    3. Requires fingerprint cards
  • Best for
    1. People who don’t plan to buy a lot of NFA items
    2. People who just want to get the buying process started
    3. People who always plan to be present when the suppressor is in use

2. Register the suppressor to a trust

  • Advantages
    1. Anyone listed as a trustee in the trust can be in possession of the suppressor
    2. A revocable trust can be changed at any time without notifying the ATF
    3. No signature is required from chief law-enforcement officer
    4. No fingerprint cards are required
    5. You only need to create the trust once. The same trust can be used for all future suppressors or other NFA items (such as short barreled rifles)
  • Disadvantages
    1. Some initial work and cost is required to setup the trust. Many people create their trust with software like Quicken WillMaker – or you can also talk to a gun trust lawyer who will set it up for you.
    2. In some states, a trust needs to be registered with the state – although that is not a requirement in most cases.
  • Best for
    1. People with family members who want to share possession of the suppressor
    2. People who want to go together with friends on the purchase of a suppressor
    3. People who want more flexibility in the long run
    4. Anyone planning on making multiple NFA purchases who want to avoid the overhead of getting the CLEO signature and fingerprints each time

3. Register the suppressor to a corporation

  • Advantages
    1. Any officer of the corporation can be in possession of the suppressor
    2. If you already have a corporation, this can be easier than a trust since you will avoid the initial trust setup
    3. No signature is required from chief law-enforcement officer
    4. No fingerprint cards are required
  • Disadvantages
    1. You need to keep your corporation in good standing, which can be more work than a trust (which is basically a “create it and forget about it” process in most cases)
  • Best for
    1. Anyone who already owns a corporation, and wants that corporation to act as the owner of the suppressor
    2. Anyone planning on making multiple NFA purchases who want to avoid the overhead of getting the CLEO signature and fingerprints each time