How Many Suppressors Can I Own?
Federal law does not limit how many suppressors you can own, so you can buy and possess as many suppressors as you want or can afford. However, this bit of good news only applies to individuals in states that permit owning suppressors.
Also, you must pass an ATF background check before you can legally own a suppressor. You may not receive approval to buy a suppressor if your background check shows you have a:
- Renounced U.S. citizenship
- Felony or misdemeanor conviction
- History of unlawful use or addiction to controlled substances
- Mental health history
- Dishonorable discharge from the military
- Illegal or undocumented status
- Court order prohibiting you from possessing firearms
One Suppressor Per Tax Stamp
Part of the requirement to buy a suppressor in the U.S. is to purchase a federal tax stamp from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The tax stamp costs $200, and you must buy a separate tax stamp for each suppressor you purchase. The price is non-negotiable and non-refundable.
What happens if you own a suppressor without a tax stamp? Buying or building a suppressor without a tax stamp counts as stealing from Uncle Sam, which is a federal offense. Punishment for breaking this law can be fines of up to $250,000 and up to ten years in federal prison.
Buying a Tax Stamp
You now have your answer to how many suppressors can I own, but we still need to discuss how to buy tax stamps for your suppressors. Getting tax stamps is super simple if you buy your suppressor at Silencer Central. Follow the steps below to purchase suppressors and tax stamps at our online store:
1. Confirm Suppressors Are Legal in Your State
You don’t want to spend $200 on a tax stamp only to discover your state does not permit buying, building, or owning a suppressor. At the moment, only 42 states in the U.S. permit suppressor ownership. So, verify you live in a pro-suppressor state before you go shopping.
2. Pick a Suppressor
The right suppressor for you will depend on your firearm, caliber, and noise reduction preferences. At Silencer Central, we offer suppressors for shotguns, pistols, and rifles of various calibers. If you need help picking a suppressor, call or email us. We will connect you with an expert who can guide you toward your perfect suppressor.
3. Buy Your Tax Stamp
After selecting suppressors to buy, the next step is to add an ATF tax stamp for each suppressor. At Silencer Central, we will automatically add your tax stamp to your invoice so you don’t miss it. You can pay outright or with our eZ-Pay plan. With eZ-Pay, you can spread your suppressor and tax stamp payment over three months.
4. Start Your Paperwork
Complete your purchase by starting the paperwork to get ATF approval to own a suppressor. Apply for approval by filling and submitting the ATF Form 4. Our team can handle filling and submitting the paperwork on your behalf to ensure no delays that extend your wait time for approval.
If you choose our eZ-Pay plan, we can start your paperwork before you complete payment. Doing so prevents adding extra time to your wait time for ATF approval. Once the ATF approves your Form 4, we will ship your silencer to your doorstep. However, we can only deliver suppressors to customers who live in states that permit silencer ownership.
Suppressor Laws Vary by State
As we’ve pointed out, buying a suppressor is legal under federal law. However, each state has unique laws regarding silencer ownership. For instance, eight states outrightly prohibit the use and ownership of silencers. These states include:
- California
- Hawaii
- New York
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- Rhode Island
The District of Columbia also prohibits suppressors. If you travel to any of these areas with a suppressor, you could get into trouble with the law. For instance, Illinois can charge fines and jail you for up to five years for possessing a suppressor within the state. In California, you can pay fines and face up to three years in state prison if caught with a silencer.
Even within states that permit suppressors, you can find certain differences in suppressor laws, especially laws regarding how you use a silencer. For instance, you can own a suppressor in Connecticut but can’t hunt with one. On the other hand, states like Vermont no longer require a special permit to hunt with suppressors.
Before buying a suppressor, verify that your state will allow you to use it for the purpose you have in mind.
Don’t Make Your Wait Time Any Longer – Buy Your Suppressor Today!
You can own as many suppressors as you want, but only if you live in a pro-suppressor state. However, each day you wait to order a suppressor is another day added to the wait time for your ATF approval. Stop stalling and increasing how long you must wait to own a suppressor.
Visit Silencer Central today to order your preferred suppressor, and we will take care of the rest, including shipping your silencer to your doorstep.