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Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

I was interested in obtaining a silencer for my talon, but after reading up on the silencer laws, I am a little nervous. The BATF regulates silencers for firearms only, and the laws only apply to use of firearm silencers. However, any removeable airgun silencer "could" possibly be used on a firearm, if A) it can be attached to it, and B) if it reduces the report of the firearm.

I used to make little crappy fake silencers for my airsoft guns when I was younger. They'd be made of paper towel rolls and cardboard baffles. Technically they could be removed and probably fit onto some type of firearm barrel if a person tried hard enough. And even though it's cardboard and tape, I bet it would reduce the report, even if it is damaged or destroyed and catches on fire after the first shot.

I don't own any firearms, so they couldn't prove that any make shift silencers I'd possess were for firearms usage. However, there is that legal gray area surrounding the issue since the definition of the law is ambiguous.

My stance is that a potato "could" be used to silence a gun if you wanted to. But potatos aren't illegal to posses. It's only when you show intent to use them illegally that you break the law.

Anyone else have any opinions about this.

oddtodd · Silver Status Member

Personally I wouldn't mess with a silencer. It's too risky. I have a felony on my record anyway, so I would probably get the book thrown at me. I just don't like to risk it.

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

I guess a guy got 15 years for it, but he had a lot going against him. He shipped a silenced airgun to a buyer in another state. It was intercepted by the feds and they took the silencer off and stuck it on a firearm and it muffled the sound. So they got him for interstate transportation of an illegal firearm...eventhough it was an airgun! The guy was also a previous offender, which didn't help his cause.

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

CW has one a legal silencer have a word with him.

Al

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

I think his is assembled to the rifle in more of a permanent fashion. Or at least it was designed to only fit to a condor.

Their big concern from the law's point of view is that a person would keep it on an airgun just as a guise, and then swap it out with a firearm when they see fit to do so.

Slavia · Moderator

The law might be gray, but what's clear is that they hold all the cards. Even if your position were to be vindicated in the courts, they would have already sucked your spirit and bankbook dry.

I wouldn't try it.

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

cw · Banned

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

Yeah, I was thinking about getting the permit just to be safe. But I figured yours was custom to airguns only and therefore exempt from the silencer law. How much does your silencer weigh cw?

I think it's funny that it's perfectly legal because you paid for it, and it's perfectly legal just because it is not compatible with firearms. But if you hadn't paid money and if it just happened to be the same size as some random gun barrel at the BATF, then all of a sudden you are an illegal firearms possesor and subject to 5 years in prison.

Doesn't that seem extraordinarly odd and unnecessary?

oddtodd · Silver Status Member

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Also, that's black and white thinking. Governments are notorious to do that sort of thing.

And I'm talking about ink and paper here.

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

I looked at that one guys article again about being convicted for 15 years for it. I think he actually WAS making silencers and using an airgun to disguise it. Because that aspect was the cornerstone of their case against him.

I think that the powers that be would realize "Hey, this guy doesn't even own firearms and is clearly making a legal device for an airgun only." And they wouldn't pursue it.

But its also up to an officer of the law to arrest you for that. It's more likely a random cop would see you with it or something to that effect, rather than an BATF agent intercepting it. So the cop would personally have to know the nuances of the law on airgun silencer possession, and would risk a wrongful arrest suit if he made a mistep. Also, I believe it is not illegal UNTIL it is determined that it is firearm compatible. So they couldn't detain you for more than 24 hours before letting you gom meanwhile they would futily attempt to locate some obscure firearm to fit it on that would incriminate you. Sounds ridiculous but that is the only likely scenario I can think of if that went wrong.

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

Wouldn’t it be easier to go down to the local cop shop and ask them what is needed, and take a tape recorder with you?

Al

cw · Banned