Suppressor Ownership Process in the US?

[SGK]

Howdy. I have always hunted with a moderator. Their use is encouraged (by the firearms police) in the UK and NZ. When I moved to the US in 2017 I was allowed to import all my rifles but not the moderators. I had been hoping the Hearing Act would pass and make things easier but that looks unlikely. I'd like to get one for my Blaser 308 and for my Hardy carbon 7mm RM hunting rifles (at least). (I'm also rather surprised how expensive they are here but that's another matter.)

What's the process? I read previously that it's recommended that the moderators be registered/owned by a trust. Is this still the case? I see websites like Silencer Shop sell NFA Gun Trusts. Is this the way to go? What's the process once the trust is set up, particularly if you want a brand/model not sold by such websites?

I found it very easy to deal with the ATF to import all my firearms with the move but somewhat bewildering as to the correct process to purchase hearing protection in the form of a moderator.

 

[3Ackleys]

I would find a class 3 dealer in your area that sells silencers and visit them in person. They will be able to give you correct info.

 

[BAM]

https://www.silencershop.com/blog/post/single-shot-trust

 

[HandgunHTR]

There are two ways to acquire a suppressor here in the US.

The first method is via a Trust, as you have already found out. Using that method, you establish a basic Living Trust that you plan to have "own" the suppressors. When you buy the suppressor, you fill out the ATF Form 4 listing the trust as the purchaser. You then have to send in a copy of the trust, along with fingerprints and passport style photos of all of the trustees listed in the trust. The benefit to this method is that anyone listed as a trustee can have possession of the suppressor at any given time, plus it allows for the passing of the suppressor to a beneficiary upon your passing without having to do a separate Form. The downside is that it takes a bit longer for approval as they have to do background checks on all of the trustees before they will approve the Form 4.

The second method is to purchase as an individual. For this method the easiest way is to find a shop that has a Silencer Shop kiosk as you can do everything at kiosk (fingerprints, photos and paperwork). The benefit to this method is that it won't cost you another $100 (average) to set up a trust, as well as the time to get the thing notarized and the approval time for individual Form 4s is current about 1-2 months faster than the trust method. The downside is that only you can have possession of the suppressor. You can let people borrow it as long as you are in the general area (same hunting location, range, etc.) but it must go home with you. Additionally, when you die if you have a will and bequeath the suppressor to someone, they will have to fill out a Form 5 (tax-free transfer) along with the fingerprints and photos and have that approved before they can take possession of it. Until that happens it has to stay in the possession of the executor of the will.

Those are the basics. Hope it helped.

 

[NV_Dmax]

Another quicker and sometimes cheaper route is to make your own suppressor after the approval of ATF form ATF-5320.1

You can e-file this form on the ATF website and usually takes around 1 month to get approval. You will submit your photograph digitally and submit your fingerprints through the mail (they will email you the information after the approval process has begun). After approval you can make your moderator (and not 1 minute sooner).

 

[skiutah02]

I just finished up the process a few months ago. I had a fantastic and very easy experience with Silencer Central. They had a booth at a local gun show (while based out of SD, they travel widely and can sell in most states) and the process was about as painless as it could be. I knew almost nothing about how the nuts-and-bolts of acquiring one worked. I just knew I wanted one, the total cost was about $1200 for their all-titanium model with accessories, and Trump had just sent me $1200, (fate as they say).

Once I got all of my questions answered, it was about 10 minutes to choose the suppressor that worked the best for me, fill out the (free) trust paperwork, get fingerprinted, etc. They took care of absolutely everything, and they had a plan to pay in 6 monthly installments. This was March 7th. On Oct 20th, received word that trust was approved, and stamp was on its way. There is some requirement that local law enforcement get notified (which they handled), and after the 3-week wait period, they shipped the suppressor directly to me. Had it in my hands Nov 20th. About 7.5 months from start to finish. 100% Recommend them. No, I do not work for them, nor have any association with them besides being a happy customer. Drew

 

[cotntop]

Just make sure they have the suppressor you want, nothing starts until the S/N is sent to FEDS.

 

[EOD Rob]

I just want to through out there the benefit of using a trust.
1. As a trust holder, you can appoint other people to the trust. This means that that person is covered under your trust as well and is legally allowed to have position of the suppressor without you having to be there.
2. Some state's law differ when it comes to NFA items. In the event that you were to die, the trust is still in effect and local law enforcement can not take the suppressor. It would be transferred to who ever you list in the trust for only $5 not the normal $200.
Non of this applies if you purchase the suppressor as an individual. It is your suppressor and yours only. No one else may use it without you there and they most likely will take it from your family once you pass.
These 2 things were good enough reasons for me to open a trust when I bought mine.
Rob

 

[arkcomatt]

This has been stated previously, but I can say this is the best way as I just did it this past weekend.
Find a dealer that has the kiosk that is set up to silencershop.com .
Pick out the suppressor you want. You can go online and research what they have in stock, again, silencershop.com .
Tell the dealer you want to apply and do a single shot trust. It will cost an additional $25.
You will do all the work on the kiosk and take about 10 minutes.
You will receive an email in a few days that you must reply to.
Then you wait for the paperwork to clear. They are saying about 6 months.

 

[SGK]

Thanks for the replies. I think I understand the trust vs individual approach. What an effing PITA though. (Contrast that with when I got my firearms certificate in the UK and the copper encouraged me to apply for and use a can on each of the rifles I was applying for.)

I need to figure out this "kiosk" thing. Silencershop and a couple of others I looked at don't have the brand I was thinking about. Plus need to understand the single shot vs having the ability to own multiple cans. (I'm interested in getting 2-3.)

EDIT: After typing the above I just got a call back from the dealer I've used in the past here. He informed me of something that may squash my interest for the time being. I want the cans principally for hunting trips I have planned for late 2021/2022 in NZ and UK. (At the range here I can use ear defenders.) But I'm not allowed to take the cans out of the country on a trip!? I mean, WTF, that's the point: to have them for hunting trips!

It looks like I may just buy a can in NZ and leave it in a cupboard there for future use. A top of the line titanium Hardy RE suppressor will cost about USD420 and is an over-the counter purchase. Europe (and elsewhere) would be more difficult.

 

[SGK]

PS: I see my Silver membership expired yesterday. Just renewed with Gold. Thanks Forum Boss for all the hard work.

 

[ebb]

If you are going to use the newly suppressed firearms to hunt with, check local laws. I think (you should check) Florida now allows them to hunt with. The FWC is so screwed up you probably need to check each management area. And check other states if hunting out of state.

 

[EOD Rob]

Thanks for the replies. I think I understand the trust vs individual approach. What an effing PITA though. (Contrast that with when I got my firearms certificate in the UK and the copper encouraged me to apply for and use a can on each of the rifles I was applying for.)

I need to figure out this "kiosk" thing. Silencershop and a couple of others I looked at don't have the brand I was thinking about. Plus need to understand the single shot vs having the ability to own multiple cans. (I'm interested in getting 2-3.)

EDIT: After typing the above I just got a call back from the dealer I've used in the past here. He informed me of something that may squash my interest for the time being. I want the cans principally for hunting trips I have planned for late 2021/2022 in NZ and UK. (At the range here I can use ear defenders.) But I'm not allowed to take the cans out of the country on a trip!? I mean, WTF, that's the point: to have them for hunting trips!

It looks like I may just buy a can in NZ and leave it in a cupboard there for future use. A top of the line titanium Hardy RE suppressor will cost about USD420 and is an over-the counter purchase. Europe (and elsewhere) would be more difficult.

SGK,
Is it not funny that the law are totally backward from here and in Europe? Suppressors are okay, but they make very difficult to get firearms and here firearms are okay, but suppressors are bad. Makes no sense.
Anyway, have a wonderful time on you trip to NZ! It is one of the few countries that I have not been to that I always wanted to go to.

 

[CJ6]

I would find a class 3 dealer in your area that sells silencers and visit them in person. They will be able to give you correct info.

Do This ^ because every state has it's own set of rules for suppressors.

 

[XTR]

I don’t think anybody really knows why silencers were added to the firearms act of 1934 there are some theories like poaching, but for what ever reason they were, and we’re stuck with it. The good news is they never raised the fee so 200 1934 dollars isn’t so bad in 2021.

 

[memilanuk]

I don’t think anybody really knows why silencers were added to the firearms act of 1934 there are some theories like poaching, but for what ever reason they were, and we’re stuck with it. The good news is they never raised the fee so 200 1934 dollars isn’t so bad in 2021.

Just did an inflation adjustment lookup... $200 USD circa 1934 is equivalent to a little under $4k in 2021 dollars. Not so bad, in that light...

...yet. I'm sure they'll get around to it.