We’ve all seen it in the movies: a trained assassin quietly attaching a silencer to a high-powered rifle, delivering a nearly silent shot that drops a target with little more than a whisper. This Hollywood portrayal has shaped the public’s understanding of suppressors, fueling misconceptions and influencing gun legislation across the country.
But for everyday gun owners, the suppressor isn’t some cinematic accessory — it’s a practical tool with safety and legal implications. Whether you’re protecting your hearing at the range, trying to reduce noise in a home-defense scenario or exploring ownership for the first time, you need to understand how suppressors really work.
Let’s break the silence on firearms silencers and reveal what every responsible gun owner should know.
Are Suppressors and Silencers the Same?
The terms “suppressor” and “silencer” are used interchangeably. Legally, “silencer” is the term used in federal law under 18 U.S. Code Section 921(A)(24), while “suppressor” more accurately describes the device’s function: it reduces, or suppresses, the sound of a firearm rather than silencing it completely.
Other references include “gun can” or “sound-mitigating device.” Regardless of the terminology, these accessories are tools designed to reduce noise, not to make firearms whisper-quiet.
Suppressors work by capturing and slowing the hot gases that follow a bullet out of the barrel. Inside, a series of baffles and chambers disrupt and cool these gases, softening the sharp crack of the muzzle blast. While they don’t make a firearm silent, they significantly reduce noise levels.
Did You Know: Suppressors are actually similar in design to car mufflers — both were developed by Hiram Percy Maxim in the early 1900s.
For more information, see the American Suppressor Association’s (ASA) Firearm Suppressor Fact Sheet.
Are Suppressors Legal in the U.S.?
Suppressors are not illegal, but they are tightly regulated at the federal level under the National Firearms Act (NFA). To legally purchase one, a gun owner must:
- Submit fingerprints and photographs
- Complete ATF Form 4
- Pay a $200 tax stamp
- Obtain local law enforcement certification (in most cases)
- Wait for federal approval
In 2022, the ATF introduced e-filing, allowing Form 4 submissions online.
Are Silencers Illegal in Some States?
Suppressors are legal in many states, but the laws governing them vary significantly from state to state. Some states ban suppressors entirely, while others allow them under federal regulation. Possessing a suppressor in a state where they are banned — even if it’s legally registered in another state — can result in felony charges and confiscation.
This patchwork of legislation underscores the need to know your state’s stance before initiating a suppressor purchase.
Consult the USCCA Reciprocity Map to find out more about your state’s suppressor laws.
How Quiet Are Suppressors Really?
Despite Hollywood’s depiction, suppressors do not make guns silent. An unsuppressed firearm typically produces a sound between 165 and 185 decibels. Suppressors reduce that by about 20 to 35 decibels, depending on the firearm and ammunition used.
That leaves the average suppressed gunshot in the 130 to 140 decibel range — still loud enough to cause instant, permanent hearing damage without protection.
Suppressor Sound Levels: What the ASA Says
The ASA has worked to combat suppressor myths with real data. Its “Fact Over Fiction” chart outlines how common gunfire sounds compare with other everyday noises:
- Unsuppressed rifle with muzzle brake: 170 to 185 decibels
- Average gunshot (unsuppressed): 165 to 170 decibels
- .22LR suppressed: 115 decibels
- Average gunshot (suppressed): 130 to 140 decibels
- Ambulance siren: 120 decibels
- Jackhammer: 110 decibels
- Rock concert/sporting event: 105 decibels
- Normal conversation: 60 decibels
According to the ASA, any sound above 140 decibels can cause instant hearing damage. In fact, exposure to such sound for less than one second can be enough to cause permanent damage.
Source: American Suppressor Association — Fact Over Fiction
Top Benefits of Using a Suppressor
Suppressors offer significant safety and practical benefits:
1. Hearing Protection
A single unsuppressed shot indoors can cause permanent hearing loss. A suppressor reduces that risk by lowering the sound by up to 35 decibels, protecting both the shooter and bystanders.
2. Improved Communication and Awareness
Lower noise levels help you hear range commands, warnings and hazards — vital in training and emergency situations.
3. Post-Shooting Legal Safety
In a self-defense situation — especially inside your home — firing an unsuppressed gun can leave you dazed or unable to hear. This becomes critical in the aftermath, when police arrive. If you can’t understand verbal commands due to hearing loss or ringing, you risk escalating the situation or appearing uncooperative. You may even accidentally give the wrong answer to a question. A suppressor helps preserve your ability to hear, comply and communicate clearly when it matters most.
Are Suppressors Good for Home Defense?
A suppressor for home defense makes practical sense. In close quarters, suppressors reduce disorientation, protect hearing and improve accuracy.
To maximize effectiveness, many owners choose subsonic ammunition, which avoids the sonic crack caused by bullets traveling faster than sound. Subsonic rounds (typically under 1,100 feet per second) paired with a suppressor yield the quietest, most controlled firing experience available.
However, suppressors do add length and weight to your firearm. Because suppressors retain significant heat and pressure, even minimal use can make them extremely hot — hot enough to cause severe burns or even melt plastic items they come into contact with, depending on how many rounds are fired and how quickly.
Suppressors can increase fouling, especially in direct-impingement ARs, and even piston systems become filthy with extended use.
Suppressed ARs may also vent gas directly into your face on indoor ranges — a discomfort that can be mitigated with upgraded gas blocks or charging handles.
In the case of many pistols, simply screwing on a suppressor may not be enough. Some handguns require a Nielsen device (also known as a “muzzle booster”) to cycle properly. Without it, the gun may function as a single-shot.
Pro Tip: Trying to decide on a home-defense gun? Check out this article on how to choose a home-defense gun to find the right fit for your needs.
Can You Carry Concealed With a Suppressor?
Using a suppressor on your concealed pistol for personal defense is not practical for most people. The added 6 to 8 inches of barrel length makes concealment nearly impossible. While a suppressed pistol can be ideal for home defense or range use, it’s rarely viable for everyday carry.
How to Buy a Suppressor Legally
If you’re ready to buy a suppressor, work with a trusted dealer that understands federal and state laws. Three leading options are:
Can You Travel With a Suppressor?
Even if your suppressor is legally owned in your home state, transporting it across state lines can be a serious legal risk. Some states ban suppressors outright. If you enter one of those states — even briefly — you could face prosecution.
To avoid this:
- Confirm that both origin and destination states allow suppressors
- Avoid driving through states that prohibit them
- Keep your ATF Form 4 and tax stamp with you
- Use a lockable, padded case during transport
- Consult the USCCA Reciprocity Map or a firearms attorney for up-to-date guidance
Pro Tip: The Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) does not protect NFA-regulated items like suppressors during travel. There is no “safe passage” clause for these accessories.
Are Suppressors Good for New Shooters?
Suppressors don’t just benefit seasoned shooters. They also make it easier and more comfortable for new shooters to enjoy their first experience on the range. This leads to a better overall impression of shooting and helps reduce flinch and anxiety.
Suppressors can be a gateway tool to building confidence, improving training outcomes and encouraging safe, positive habits from the very beginning.
New to concealed carry? Check out this beginner’s guide to concealed carry to get started with confidence.
Suppressors and Responsible Ownership
Suppressors aren’t silent. They aren’t sinister. And they aren’t illegal for responsible Americans. They are safety tools that reduce hearing damage, improve situational control and enhance overall shooting comfort.
Whether you’re interested in better home defense, safer range time or simply preserving your hearing, a firearms suppressor is worth considering — so long as you understand the legal responsibilities that come with it.
Let’s stop letting Hollywood write our gun laws. Let’s start with education, responsibility and truth.
2025 Suppressor Legal Updates
National
The Senate Finance Committee’s budget reconciliation proposal, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” includes a provision to remove silencers (suppressors) from the NFA. If passed, this change would eliminate the $200 federal tax and the ATF registration requirement currently imposed on suppressor ownership. A Senate vote could take place as early as late June or early July.
Train With Confidence — Suppressed or Not
Whether you run suppressed or not, sharpen your skills with USCCA firearms training classes taught by certified instructors nationwide. Learn safe handling, legal use of force and real-world defense techniques.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to carry a gun with a suppressor?
Suppressors are regulated under the National Firearms Act of 1934, which requires fingerprints, a $200 tax, local law enforcement approval and a waiting period before ownership. Various state laws also control suppressors, and some states ban them outright. While not explicitly prohibited for carry, suppressors add about 6 inches to the barrel and increase the firearm’s weight, making them more difficult to conceal. This bulk makes suppressor-equipped firearms impractical for concealed carry.
Are suppressors going to be legal?
The Senate Finance Committee’s budget reconciliation proposal, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” includes a provision to remove silencers (suppressors) from the National Firearms Act of 1934. This change would eliminate the $200 federal tax and the requirement to register these devices with the ATF. However, the bill wouldn’t fully deregulate silencers. A Senate vote may occur as soon as late June or early July.
Why would you need a suppressor?
Suppressors help protect hearing, reduce noise complaints and make shooting more comfortable, especially in enclosed environments such as homes or indoor ranges. A single gunshot can cause permanent hearing loss, but a suppressor reduces the blast to safer levels. They also make it easier to communicate, allow new shooters to build confidence, and promote safety by reducing flinch and disorientation. Though not silent, suppressors offer real advantages in control, comfort and safety.
This article is a compilation of previous blog posts and CCM articles authored by Sean Alcazar, Jim Doyle and George Harris.
The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc. members and the concealed carry community and does not constitute legal advice. Although we attempt to address all areas of concealed carry laws in all states, we make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. Legal advice must always be tailored to the individual facts and circumstances of each individual case. Laws are constantly changing, and, as such, nothing contained on this website should be used as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer.
