You CAN Probably Buy One: Ten Common SUPPRESSOR Myths Silenced
I hope this post can help shut down a few suppressor myths you may have heard before. Because of the intense regulation in this industry, many people are nervous getting into suppressed shooting. GSL Technology Suppressors has been building suppressors since 1985. We have heard our fair share of gun store myths about NFA items and suppressors that just have no truth to them at all.
Reach out anytime for more info on GSL’s product line, and now you know some more truth on suppressor ownership!
MYTH #1: SILENCERS/SUPPRESSORS ARE ILLEGAL TO OWN
Suppressors/silencers/cans, whatever you call them… are completely legal to own, depending on your location. Suppressors are highly
regulated under the National Firearms Act of 1934. This is a common myth that suppressors are illegal. Suppressors are currently legal to
own in 42 of the 50 states.
Prohibited states include California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. (They’re also
illegal in the District of Columbia, which doesn’t count as a state.)
As long as you live in a legal state & follow all of the state, and federal laws governing silencer ownership, you can legally own a suppressor.
MYTH #2: HUNTING WITH SUPPRESSORS IS ILLEGAL
Hunting with a suppressor is completely legal in over 40 states! As long as you legally own the suppressor, and follow the local, state, and federal laws that apply to having a suppressor….you can use one for hunting!
GSL builds some suppressors specifically for hunting for 350legend, 450bushmaster, and 300blk hunting specific cans.
MYTH #3: SILENCERS CAN ONLY GO ON ONE WEAPON FOREVER
This myth, is 100% false. There are definitely suppressors out there designed for one weapon type, such as some of the integrally suppressed
barrels out there and the UZI specific suppressor like the GSL Jericho. Even then, the Jericho can still go on ANY Full Sized or Mini UZI weapon. Suppressors are tied to CALIBER most often. Suppressors are designed based on bullet diameter, and the pressure they can tolerate. For example, most 223 rounds can go through most 308 built suppressors. Lower pressure, and a smaller round. Conversely though, NOT all 223 rounds can go through say all 9mm suppressors. Even though the bullet technically fits through a 9mm hole (0.354) the pressure of a 223 or .308 bullet would blow up many 9mm dedicated cans on the market.
MYTH #4: SILENCERS MAKE GUNS HOLLYWOOD-QUIET
James Bond movies and video games REALLY stretch the truth on what a suppressor is capable of. Sometimes this also changes people’s expectations for a suppressor to movie quiet. Unfortunately for Hollywood…. suppressors do NOT make everything about a weapon firing
“Silent”
They can definitely get the sound levels down to where the shooter is not going to suffer permanent hearing loss, but never completely silent.
MYTH #5: YOU NEED TO HAVE A CLASS 3 LICENSE TO OWN A SILENCER
You do not need to BE and Class 2 or Class 3 dealer or have a special license to own a suppressor, you just have to KNOW a licensed, FFL and SOT holding dealer to process the transfer. Any individual person that can legally own a firearm, and lives inside a state that allows suppressors, can own a suppressor. A suppressor purchase is definitely a bit more involved than a firearm, but NO ANNUAL FEES come with owning a suppressor…No special license required for an individual to own one.
MYTH #6: SILENCERS NEGATIVELY IMPACT VELOCITY OR MAKE THE WEAPON LESS ACCURATE
Suppressors are actually INCREDIBLE for shooting. They lower the sound, the shock factor, the muzzle flinch, lower the recoil, and make controlling the weapon easier. They are easier and safer to shoot, and a quality suppressor does not make a weapon less accurate, or slow velocity. They see a slight increased velocity because the extra length gives the bullet a tiny bit longer to accelerate with the gas expansion in the barrel. It’s not a lot…. but it is not a decrease in velocity. A quality suppressor doesn’t make any contact with the bullet, so it’s not going to make your firearms less accurate.
MYTH #7: SILENCERS ARE ASSASINS WEAPONS, AND ONLY HELPFUL FOR MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SITUATIONS
Suppressors are not silent, or assassin’s weapons. They lower the sound, the shock factor, the muzzle flinch, lower the recoil, and make controlling the weapon easier. They are easier and safer to shoot, and have many applications for hunters, self-defense, and daily carry weapons. They are great for training new shooters, and helpful for population control of animals without disturbing your neighbors.
MYTH #8: SILENCERS HAVE A SHORT LIFESPAN
Some suppressors are very low quality…they can fall apart after 10-15 rounds or less. The suppressor industry is competitive, and manufacturers sometimes run to the bottom of pricing and materials to make sales….. A quality suppressor will outlive you, and your children.
Suppressors of the earliest days sometimes used disposable materials and were known to need to be replaced after a certain lifecycle or firing
schedule. Modern technology, advancements in machining and materials have definitely improved the lifespan of suppressors. Most quality
manufacturers out there will provide a suppressor that will be built to last.
MYTH #9: THE GOVERNMENT CAN COME IN YOUR HOUSE UNANNOUNCED FOR AN INSPECTION
Believe it or not. I have heard this said more than you would believe. This is totally false. Our 2nd Amendment and 4th amendment rights as US citizens are not waived just because we bought a scary suppressor… Many think that being “On the List” is going to result in additional screening, or additional law enforcement scrutiny – That is also, untrue.
MYTH #10: THERE ARE LONG WAITING PERIODS TO GET A SUPPRESSOR
Believe it or not, there is not a Federal or State regulation mandating a “Wait Period” to get a suppressor. It does take a very long time to process one from purchase to taking it home though. Some would even call that lengthy process an infringement on our right to own one…Short answer, it depends on the time it takes to process it. Some have been approved in 8 days, some have taken over 14 months….
by Kevin Kinzer
Kevin Kinzer, was born and raised in Northern Indiana, and currently lives in Augusta, GA. He loved the 4-H Shooting Sports for teaching youth lifelong safety habits that you never, ever forget. He is not a “Competitive” shooter, (yet) just a normal guy who enjoys shooting.
He has served in the Army National Guard since 2005 and enjoys the valuable experience this has provided in life! He does his fair share of shooting with the Army and deployed to Balad, Iraq in 2008
He works with GSL Technology Suppressors in Law Enforcement and Dealer Sales, and he loves connecting with those in the firearms community and in law enforcement about GSL Technology’s incredible suppressors offering.
You can follow him, GSL, and find contact information at: http://linktr.ee/iamkevinkinzer
