How Many Suppressors Can Be Purchased With One Federal Stamp?
March 20, 2026Posted by derrek.sigler
We completely understand if you want more than one suppressor. You could want one for your shotgun and another for your rifle. Or, you could want silencers in different colors to match your different firearms. Regardless of your reason, you will need a Federal stamp to buy a suppressor. One stamp per suppressor is the limit, at least for now.
One Stamp Per NFA Item
A suppressor is an NFA item, meaning the National Firearms Act (NFA) regulates its possession, transfer, and manufacture. You cannot legally own an NFA item without undergoing a background check, obtaining a Federal stamp, and applying to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) for approval.
Besides generating revenue for Uncle Sam, a tax stamp allows the government to document and monitor owners of NFA items, such as suppressors. For this to work, each legally purchased suppressor requires a stamp that indicates the owner. So, if you want five suppressors, you will need five stamps. There’s no way around it unless you want to break the law, which we do not recommend.
Getting a Suppressor Tax Stamp
Obtaining a suppressor tax stamp is straightforward, especially when you work with us at Silencer Central. Once you apply for the tax stamp, you can proceed to fill and submit your Form 4 to get the ATF’s approval to own a suppressor. You cannot submit an ATF Form 4 if you do not have the federal stamp. The ATF needs the stamp application to start your background check and suppressor registration process.
Registering Your Suppressor
You must complete the suppressor registration process before you can collect your purchased suppressor. The process involves applying for the stamp.. As we’ve mentioned, you will need a Federal stamp for each suppressor you buy.
After applying, you can proceed to complete and submit the ATF Form 4. You must also submit your fingerprints and passport-style photographs to the ATF. After submitting all the necessary documentation, you only need to wait for the ATF to approve your application. Once you receive approval, you can take possession of your purchased suppressor.
Registration Options
You can complete the registration process by filing a paper ATF Form 4 or an eForm 4. The eForm 4 allows you to complete the registration process online. Besides being more convenient, applying with the eForm 4 has a shorter waiting time than if you submit a paper Form 4 to the ATF.
Our Silencer Central team makes the entire registration process as hassle-free as possible by handling the filing process on your behalf. We typically use eForm 4 because it’s faster, but we can also complete your registration with the paper ATF Form 4 if you prefer.
How to Buy a Suppressor: Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that you have an answer to how many suppressors per tax stamp, you only need to learn how to buy a suppressor legally. It’s super simple when you shop at Silencer Central, and below are the steps.
Keep in mind that there are some things that affect approval times. Read about them here.
Confirm it is Legal to Own a Suppressor in Your State
At the moment, 42 states in the U.S. permit the purchase and ownership of suppressors. So, before attempting to purchase a suppressor, confirm that it is legal in your state. We cannot ship you a suppressor if it is illegal in your state.
Also, if you leave your anti-suppressor state to purchase one in a pro-suppressor state, you could get into trouble if you return to your state with the suppressor. For example, possessing a silencer is a felony in California, and offenders could pay fines and face up to three years in state prison.
Pick & Buy Your Suppressor
If silencers are legal in your state, head to our online store to browse silencers and pick the best one for your firearm and shooting needs. You can get suppressors for various pistol, rifle, and shotgun calibers. If you need help picking the perfect suppressor, you can call or email us to speak with an expert who will provide all the information you need to make the best decision.
the Paperwork
You can now proceed to complete and submit your ATF paperwork to legalize your suppressor purchase. The required paperwork includes your fingerprints, a passport-style photograph, and the ATF Form 4.
You don’t need to visit a police station to get your fingerprints. Instead, order a complete fingerprint kit from us. Our fingerprint kit includes fingerprint cards, an ink pad, and instructions. After filling out the card, mail it to the ATF alongside your filled Form 4. We also accept digital fingerprints, and we're working on new ways to make this even easier.
We have digitized much of this process now, and you can breeze through it using our Customer Portal, which you enroll in when you buy a suppressor. It is easy and simple!
Have Your Silencer Delivered to Your Door
Contrary to what you might have heard, you don’t have to pick up a suppressor from an FFL dealer. If you buy a suppressor online at Silencer Central, we will ship it to your doorstep once we receive your approved form. However, we can only ship your purchased suppressor to you if you live in one of the 42 states that permit silencer ownership and use.
READY TO SHOOT SUPPRESSED?
The simplest way to do it is to go to Silencer Central, find the one you want, fill out a few online forms, and buy it. Now you can self-certify, making the whole process faster and smoother. Your fingerprint card as well as a free t-shirt will ship to your home. You can track your progress through the online Customer Portal, too. It is that simple!
While many suppressors can be used on several different caliber firearms, we have some specific models that can make your shooting more enjoyable. Pick the caliber that you have in mind. If you don’t see your caliber, pick one close to it to see our recommendations.
