Are gun silencers legal in Va???

Question

Are gun silencers legal in Va???

Answer 1

First, the correct nomenclature for this device is SUPPRESSOR, NOT 'silencer'.
Contrary to the uneducated answers of the ill-informed prior answerers, any law-abiding U.S. citizen CAN purchase and possess SUPPRESSORS through ant Class 3 FFL dealer, merely by passing a background check and paying a $200 Fed tax stamp upon transfer.
As to VA legality, merely locate your closest Class 3 FFL dealer, and he should be more than happy to help you thru the process of purchasing a suppressor, if it is legal there.

Answer 2

Silencers are legal for civilians in 36 states of the Union including Virginia. There are no federal laws banning silencers. The National Firearms Act of 1934 requires that they be registered and only the BATFE can authorize their transfer or making/manufacture. This does not mean they are banned. Since the BATFE routinely approves the AFT form 4’s to transfer and ATF form 1’s to make silencers, it makes no sense to say they are banned or “banned with certain exceptions”. A few states say silencers are banned except for the ones registered with the BATFE, which means any legal silencers are legal in their state. Texas and a few other states do this.

There is a $200 tax to pay, as well as obtaining your local sheriff’s signature on the form. It takes one or more months for approval most times, but I have never heard of the BATFE not approving any properly filled out ATF form 1 or 4 for anyone who was allowed to own a silencer.

Edited to add;

The word silencer is a legal term used by the government. They are more accurately called moderators or suprpessors.

If a silencer is bought using an ATF form 4 or made with an ATF form 1, this does not negate your 4th amendment rights to unreasonable searches. Only FFL/SOT's (dealers, importers, manufacturers) are subject to one (part of the agreement to get the license) unannounced/unwarranted inspection each year during business hours only. All others can turn away any unwarranted attempts to examine their silencers or machineguns.

Ranb

Answer 3

I have no idea where some people get their information, Silencers with a 200 dollar class 3 tax stamp and approval from the Police department are LEGAL in Virginia. Seriously, if you don't know what the hell you're talking about simply DON'T answer!

Answer 4

I really have to agree .... where do some of you get your answers. Pay the tax go through the background check .( wich by the way can take anywhere from 1 month to 6 in some cases ) and there you have it ... oh and on one final note you better not ever lose it or missplace it cause the ATF or any other government agency can stop by to check up on it at anytime ( like automatic weapons ...wich are legal after tax in some states too)

Answer 5

Well, boker_magnum just gave you the only correct answer so far. Most states do not prohibit possession of suppressors provided they are owned in accordance with Federal law, which requires the $200.00 tax stamp for purchase.

Answer 6

Completely off topic response here. If the percentage of correct answers shown here is typical, why does Yahoo answers even exist?

Answer 7

Quick answer Albert, silencers for guns are illegal in the USA. Check with your local BATF for exceptions. And remember, just because you have the paperwork to possess a silencer doesn't mean you can be caught in public with a suppressed firearm.

H

Answer 8

good answers guys. go get'em boker_magnum!!!

Answer 9

No, gun silencers are illegal for the general public to posses in the entire United States.

Answer 10

NO, I have an FFL. and I can own an fully auto but even I can't own an silencer. The ATF will get real nasty over a silencer.