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How to Buy a Firearm Silencer

Neal_Litherland | Sep 29, 2010 |

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There are a lot of misconceptions out there about gun silencers. The most common, perpetuated by Hollywood, is that a silencer turns the roar of a gun into a whispering thump. In fact a silencer may make a handgun sound like something smaller, but not a great deal smaller; even silenced weapons are loud! Another misconception is that so many people think silencers are strictly illegal. You can easily buy and own a silencer for a gun... if you're willing to fill out the proper forms and wade through the red tape.

Things You Will Need

2 Passport Photos

Money for the Silencer and all Associated Fees

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Form 4

Fingerprint Cards

Clean Record

Step 1

Find a dealer who specializes in Class 3/Title 2 restricted items. The dealer should give you Form 4, and 2 fingerprint cards.

Step 2

Fill out Form 4. You have to be at least 21 years old with a clean background the same as you would be to buy a firearm in the first place. Once you've filled out the form, including your reason for wanting a firearms silencer (reasons such as "firearm collector" are popular answers), attach your photographs to the areas marked out for them in the form.

Step 3

Take your Form 4 to your local police department. The police will take your fingerprints (which will have a small fee associated with it) and then run a check to be sure you're not currently wanted. They will then fill out their portion of the forms and return them to you.

Step 4

Return your copy of Form 4 to the dealer you want to purchase from. You will also need to include the appropriate fee for your silencer type ($5 for "any other weapon" but $200 for a short-barreled rifle, machine gun or shotgun). The dealer will then send the form away to the ATF, who will conduct a very thorough background check on you.

Step 5

Once the check results come back, you will be issued a permit and allowed to purchase the silencer you desire. You may need to put up the money in full before beginning the process depending on the dealer, and if you are rejected then the dealer should refund you the initial payment in full.

Buying and owning a silencer is a long, involved process that involves a great deal of paperwork and a lot of hassle. On the other hand, that stops everyone and their mother from owning a silencer. If you're willing to go through the time and trouble, it shows that you do genuinely want the item.

Tips & Warnings

It's important to make sure you have a clean record. No felony convictions, no spousal abuse and no firearms charges in the past. If you think your record is clean, do a background check on yourself just to be sure before you waste the time and money on an application that's doomed to failure.