How To Buy a Suppressor: A Step by Step Guide
How To Buy a Suppressor: A Step by Step Guide
Kat Ainsworth
If you’re considering purchasing a suppressor, you might be wondering where the entire process starts and what all it entails. Our goal here is to lay out the general steps for how to buy a suppressor to help you along your way to becoming a suppressed shooter.
What is the overall process for buying a suppressor?
The steps in how to buy a suppressor break down as follows:
- Choose your suppressor. You’ll buy the suppressor prior to being able to take possession of it. Many suppressor owners refer to this as the stage where the suppressor is jailed until the paperwork is approved.
- Get a tax stamp. At the time of this writing, the ATF tax stamp is $200. It’s a price set by the federal government, meaning you will not find deals on this. The cost of this suppressor tax stamp is paid along with the suppressor itself.
- Decide whether you’re registering as an individual or an NFA trust.
- Individual means no legal costs, less paperwork, and less chance of mistakes being made.
- NFA trust has the benefit of allowing multiple person ownership – new owners can be adding to the trust at any time – and there’s property protection after death.
- Submit a Form 4 or a eForm 4 to the ATF through the dealer, whether in person or online. This process includes:
- Personal information such as name, address, and social security number.
- Make, model, and serial number of the suppressor.
- Fingerprint cards.
- Passport style photograph.
- Wait to be approved. The wait time typically varies from 90 days to as many as 9 months. Sometimes, it’s significantly faster than 90 days. It depends on the backlog at the ATF.
What information is needed to buy a suppressor?
Buying a suppressor involves the ATF Form 4, which means supplying a lot of personal information, and a suppressor tax stamp. The Form 4 also requires all information about the suppressor being purchased. The ATF form includes multiple forms that vary depending on whether you’re registering as an individual or NFA trust. When registering as an individual, ATF Form 4 questions include but aren’t limited to your full, legal name, address, and phone number. A full fingerprint card that also lists your physical description must be done as well. You’ll also answer questions similar to those on a Form 4473 for firearms purchases, such as whether you’re a convicted felon or have ever been adjudicated mentally defective. The photograph required for the Form 4 is a plain, unsmiling image like those used on passports and can be taken at multiple locations.
If you’re registering through an NFA trust, you will need the Form 4 and also ATF Form 5320.23. Both the individual and trust also require an FBI Form FD-258 fingerprint card and, as mentioned, passport style photo.
What should I bring to buy a suppressor?
To go to an authorized dealer to buy a suppressor you’ll need to bring your payment method and patience for paperwork. The dealer should help you with the paperwork for the ATF Form 4, or there will be a kiosk set up to walk you through the process. Some authorized dealers or efiling programs are also set up to help you take the necessary photograph. And while starting the purchase process is simple, you won’t be going home with your suppressor that same day. It’s both straightforward and drawn out.
Where can I find suppressors for sale?
You can any SilencerCo product on our website, but you will need to go through a licensed dealer to process the transfer. The suppressor sale is required by federal law to go through a licensed dealer, meaning you can’t simply get one from a friend.
Regardless of whether you go through the process online or in person, make sure it’s a qualified, licensed dealer and that you’re confident in the suppressor you’re buying. All the dealers listed on SilencerCo.com are confirmed, licensed dealers, so you can rest easy knowing that if you purchase on SilencerCo.com, your order will be processed through a professional dealer.
If you have any other questions about how to buy on SilencerCo.com, check out this guide we made. There are 4 simple steps to buy on SilencerCo.com.
How much do suppressors cost?
The cost of suppressors varies significantly depending on the specific manufacturer and model. Suppressors can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than $1000. For example, the SilencerCo Warlock 22 has an MSRP of $235.00 and the SilencerCo Salvo 12 has an MSRP of $1169.00. Some suppressors require more complex components and design while others are simpler.
What are the requirements for buying a suppressor?
Certain requirements must be fulfilled for you to even be considered for a suppressor sale:
- Residence in a state where suppressors are legal to possess.
- Resident of the United States.
- Pay $200 ATF tax stamp fee.
- Minimum age of 21 years.
- Meet legal requirements to purchase a firearm and pass a background check.
- Supply your local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) with a copy of the ATF Form 4.
And, of course, you must fill out all required forms, get fingerprinted, and have your picture taken.
If you choose to submit your form using efile – also called an eForm 4 – the wait time is typically shorter and you also have the ability to easily track its progress online. There are steps to preparing and submitting the proper paperwork that are not explained in great detail here, so be aware there are multiple pages and that copies must be sent to more than one location.
Now that you’ve learned how to buy a suppressor, locate a dealer and get the process started. Suppressors protect your hearing and the hearing of those around you, help you leave less of an auditory footprint on an area, and create a quieter environment in general.
This article is meant for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have a question about the law, consult a qualified attorney.
