the path to owning a suppressor
HOW TO BUY
To own a suppressor, the possessor must have a tax stamp issued by the BATFE that proves payment of the one-time $200 tax. Paying this tax is a process and involves completing an application form called the Form 4. A Form 4 can only be submit for approval once a suppressor is purchased and in the possession of a qualified dealer. The serial number of that suppressor must be associated to the tax stamp on the form 4. An ordinary FFL (Federal Firearms Licensee) won’t do. Your dealer must also have a SOT (Special Occupation Tax) in order to transfer you National Firearms Act regulated items that involve a tax stamp such as suppressors. Once the suppressor is purchased, is on location at your qualified dealer and the Form 4 is completed, there is a waiting period while the ATF processes the purchaser’s application.
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Private citizens can legally purchase and possess suppressors in 42 states* without a permit.
The eight states that currently do not allow individuals to own suppressors are California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Those Island and the District of Columbia.
*If you are an FFL dealer, manufacturer, peace officer, or member of a law enforcement agency or other government agency, there are additional states where you can own a suppressor.
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While suppressors are legal, they are regulated by federal law and on a state-by-state basis by the National Firearm Act (NFA) branch of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE).
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To legally purchase or possess a suppressor you must:
-Reside in one of the 42 states that currently allow civilian ownership
-Be a resident of the United States
-Be legally eligible to purchase a firearm
-Pass a BAFTE Background check
-Pay a one time $200 Transfer Tax
-Be at least 21 years of age to purchase from an FFL/SOTdealer
THE E-FORM
In years past, the wait times for the ATF to process a Form 4 application could be well over a year. This deterred and frustrated many customers interested in suppressors. In December of 2021, the ATF released the E-Form, digital application process. The ATF states it endeavors to complete E-Form applications in 90 days or less.
WHAT YOU NEED TO COMPLETE AN E-FORM
A suppressor purchased and on location at your qualified FFL/SOT dealer in your state of residence.
A passport photo with a clean background, with the subject centered in the frame in a resolution of 300x300.
Fingerprints
Uploaded digitally, usually take on a digital scanner at your dealer. This may yield the fastest return from the ATF
On a paper “Chandler” card, mailed into the ATF, with the completion of a digital E-Form. This method may cause a longer return.
An E-Forms account created on the ATF’s website and the associated personalized PIN for that accounT
Any documents such as a trust that you wish to assign the suppressor to, rather than become the sole, individual owner.
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It’s true, you can purchase a suppressor online. However, once the suppressor is bought and shipped to your qualified dealer to be transferred, the rest of the process is the same as buying a suppressor off the shelf. The purchaser is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the online distributor receives the appropriate information and documents from the dealer you would like to conduct the final transfer through.
If there is any doubt in your mind that an online distributor is an authorized AB dealer, don’t hesitate to check with us (link to contact form?) and make sure you’re getting an authentic AB Suppressor product.
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AB Suppressor values our customers and dealers. We want to make sure everyone gets the best deal and help they need to complete the purchase process. We offer direct sales (email link to sales?) to our customers at MSRP. Visiting an authorized dealer in your area, may be the most convenient and cost effective way to purchase AB Suppressor product(s).