Complete Guide to Suppressor Ownership and NFA Rules

The firearm world has seen its fair share of seismic changes, but few have been as impactful as the recent acknowledgment by the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding suppressors. For decades, these tools - often misrepresented as the accessories of choice for spies and criminals - have been heavily regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934. However, a federal court case has fundamentally reshaped the legal discourse, leaving suppressor shelves nearly empty and sparking a wave of excitement among firearm enthusiasts.

So, what does this mean for the average gun owner? Let’s break down the significance of this development, the historic misconceptions surrounding suppressors, and what might lay ahead.

Understanding the Legal Shift

From NFA Jail to Constitutional Protection

Suppressors have long been treated as exotic and heavily restricted firearm accessories. Purchase one, and you’d face a labyrinth of regulations, including a $200 tax stamp, submitting fingerprints, and enduring long wait times for ATF approval. This status quo remained unquestioned for nearly 90 years - until the DOJ’s statement in the Vandertock v. Garland case changed everything.

In this case, the DOJ unequivocally stated that suppressors qualify as "arms" under the Second Amendment, granting them the same constitutional protection as rifles and handguns. This admission didn’t come out of the blue. It was a logical consequence of the Supreme Court’s 2022 landmark decision in Bruen, which required firearm regulations to be rooted in historical precedent. When the DOJ was forced to examine the history of suppressor regulation, it found no substantial foundation - no outright bans on suppressors existed when the Second Amendment was drafted.

This legal revelation has major implications. If suppressors are now considered protected under the Constitution, the government’s ability to regulate them as heavily as before is under scrutiny. This single acknowledgment is reshaping the legal and cultural landscape surrounding suppressor ownership.

The Great Suppressor Surge

The DOJ’s admission sent shockwaves through the firearm community, triggering what can only be described as a national suppressor buying frenzy. Retailers reported a 300–400% surge in suppressor demand within days of the announcement. Shelves that once displayed brands like Surefire, Banish, and Yankee Hill were suddenly bare, with dealers across the country struggling to keep up with orders.

But this wasn’t a panic buy. It marked a shift in mindset. For years, many gun owners saw suppressors as accessories that carried unnecessary legal risks. With the DOJ’s statement, those risks dissipated in the eyes of consumers. Hunters, recreational shooters, and parents teaching their kids firearm safety were among the first to recognize the practical benefits of suppressors:

Hearing protection: Suppressors don’t make firearms silent, but they reduce noise levels enough to prevent hearing loss.
Comfort: They reduce recoil, muzzle blast, and concussion, making shooting safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
Family-friendly shooting: Parents embraced suppressors as essential tools for protecting children’s hearing during their first shooting experiences.

This surge in demand wasn’t fueled by luxury or intimidation - it was driven by clarity and practicality.

Dispelling the Myths Around Suppressors

Suppressors have long been misunderstood, thanks in part to misleading Hollywood portrayals. Many still envision them as tools of assassins, capable of making gunfire whisper-quiet. The reality is far less dramatic.

Suppressors, or "silencers", are not magical noise-canceling devices. They reduce the decibel level of gunfire to a safer range (typically 20–35 dB reduction). For hunters, this means avoiding permanent hearing damage. For range shooters, it means less discomfort from prolonged exposure to loud gunfire. These are safety tools, not instruments of stealth.

Historically, the inclusion of suppressors in the NFA stemmed not from crime concerns, but from fears of deer poaching during the Great Depression. This outdated reasoning offers no legal grounding under the Bruen test, which requires gun laws to align with historical traditions. The DOJ’s inability to justify suppressor restrictions under this framework has opened the door to significant legal challenges.

Key Legal Contrasts: Suppressors vs. 80% Receivers

The same week as the DOJ’s game-changing statement on suppressors, the Supreme Court upheld the ATF’s authority to regulate 80% lower receivers as firearms. This highlights a critical legal distinction:

Suppressors: Now considered "arms" protected under the Second Amendment.
80% Lower Receivers: Treated as incomplete firearm components, still subject to ATF regulations.

This stark contrast clarifies the courts’ current stance. Accessories like suppressors, which enhance the functionality of existing firearms, are increasingly recognized as constitutionally protected. Meanwhile, incomplete firearm parts that require additional work to become functional remain under stricter scrutiny.

Challenges Ahead: Legal Progress, Bureaucratic Hurdles

While the DOJ’s admission is a monumental legal victory, suppressor buyers still face significant bureaucratic obstacles. The NFA’s regulatory framework remains intact, requiring:

A $200 tax stamp for each suppressor.
Submission of ATF Form 4 and fingerprint cards.
Lengthy approval wait times, often exceeding nine months.

This regulatory bottleneck continues to frustrate firearm owners. The fight for suppressor rights is far from over, with advocates pushing for legislative reform, such as the long-proposed Hearing Protection Act, to eliminate suppressors from the NFA entirely.

State-Level Battles: The Next Frontier

The DOJ’s statement has emboldened lawsuits challenging suppressor bans in restrictive states like New Jersey, California, and New York. Cases such as Pudva v. Platkin argue that state-level suppressor bans are unconstitutional under the Bruen framework. Without a historical basis for these bans, states face an uphill battle in court.

If these lawsuits succeed, they could establish a nationwide precedent, striking down suppressor bans across all 50 states. This would be a monumental victory for firearm enthusiasts, ensuring suppressors are treated no differently than rifles or pistols under the law.

The Rise of the New Suppressor Owner

Perhaps the most significant cultural shift is the growing diversity of suppressor buyers. No longer limited to tactical enthusiasts or collectors, suppressors are now being embraced by families, hunters, and first-time gun owners. This broadening demographic signals the normalization of suppressors as practical safety tools.

As suppressors shed their stigma, they are poised to become as common as hearing protection at the range - a standard piece of gear for responsible gun ownership.

Key Takeaways

DOJ Statement: Suppressors are now officially recognized as "arms" under the Second Amendment.
Legal Momentum: The Bruen framework has exposed the lack of historical support for suppressor restrictions, weakening bans nationwide.
Surge in Demand: Retailers saw a 300–400% spike in suppressor sales following the DOJ’s admission.
Practical Benefits: Suppressors reduce noise and recoil, protecting hearing and enhancing safety for shooters and bystanders.
State Challenges: Lawsuits in states with suppressor bans, like New Jersey, could set a national precedent overturning these restrictions.
Persistent NFA Hurdles: Despite legal progress, suppressor buyers still face long wait times, tax stamps, and ATF paperwork.
Cultural Shift: More families and first-time buyers are embracing suppressors as essential safety tools, further normalizing their use.

Looking Ahead

The DOJ’s admission marks a turning point in the fight for suppressor rights, but it’s just the beginning. While suppressors now enjoy constitutional protection, the battle for streamlined access and deregulation continues. Legislative reform, court rulings, and cultural acceptance will all play critical roles in shaping the future of suppressor ownership in America.

For now, firearm enthusiasts have every reason to celebrate this victory while staying vigilant in the ongoing fight for their Second Amendment rights.

Source: "Suppressors Legal Now? Watch Before You Buy (DOJ Admits)" - Guns And Gear, YouTube, Aug 13, 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OytGXQ1CjLg