Firearm suppressors are legal to own in more than 40 states and offer benefits to shooters, hunters, and the environment.
American Suppressor Association Note Owning a suppressor is legal in 42 states, and hunting with a suppressor is legal in nearly all of those 42 states.
To be clear, suppressors do not muffle gunshot sounds. Rather, it is muffled enough to reduce the sharp, deafening sound associated with gun fire. This means it provides hearing protection for shooters and hunters alike, and also reduces disturbances to the natural environment.
When hunting with multiple hunters, the silencing effect of a suppressor can really come in handy. Especially when the round is as big (and noisy) as a 45-70 Auto or .380 Win.
However, even target shooting with smaller rounds such as 9mm and 5.56 rounds has proven the value of protecting your hearing with a suppressor.
In addition to hearing protection benefits, suppressors reduce recoil and improve accuracy. The suppressor keeps the gun flat during shooting by reducing recoil, making it easier to fire the second and her third shot. (Readers who have hunted wild hogs will know this all too well, as hog hunting typically requires multiple bullets to be fired before the beast scatters. , suppressors make recoil easier to control and help hunters reach their targets again.)
Suppressors are typically made of titanium, aluminum, or stainless steel, and the weight of the suppressor reflects the type of metal used. The ASA notes that suppressors reduce the sound of gunshots by an average of 20 to 35 dB.
The process of purchasing a suppressor is somewhat complicated in that the suppressor purchaser must pay for the device upfront and pay the ATF $200 (under the auspices of the National Firearms Act, suppressors are subject to a federal ). Potential buyers must submit two passport-style photos and a fingerprint when paying $200. The Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder then files her ATF Form 4, which is the form governing the transfer of her NFA item to an individual.
The prospective buyer’s photo, fingerprints, and $200 will be sent to ATF for a background check. Currently, the entire process takes 8 to 10 months. The FFL will then receive a federal tax stamp indicating that the transfer has been approved and federal taxes have been paid. The FFL will then call the buyer to let them know when to pick up the suppressor, and the prospective buyer will fill out her ATF Form 4473 to take the suppressor home.
An option to electronically file with the ATF, which can shorten the approval process by months.
AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and also writes Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment for Breitbart News. He is also a writer and curator. He is a political analyst for Armed American Radio, an ambassador for Turning Point USA, and a professional staff member for Pulsar Knight His Vision. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal in 2010 and completed his Ph.D. Military history focusing on the Vietnam War (Brown Navy), the U.S. Navy since its inception, the Civil War, and early modern Europe. Follow him on Instagram: @awr_hawkins. To get Down Range, you can sign up at breitbart.com/downrange. Please contact us directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.
