[FunkyZero]

I have a question that I've been unable to come up with a reasonable answer for... if anyone has input of theories. I hear arguments for all other sorts of gun control measures. I disagree with them almost across the board, but at least i hear the flawed arguments. But not regarding suppressors.

I've never understood the tight control on them, I don't know if I've ever heard of a real-life criminal actually using one, just in hollywood. What I have always wondered is:

Why do criminals not use them, ever? and since they don't, why are these even a classified and controlled device? It's a simple device, easy enough to make yourself (I won't discuss any deeper for obvious reasons). I understand the concealability issue easy enough. It doesn't seem to me that there is really any foundation at all for such tight control since the criminal could just as easily make one if it were practical.. which it is not for their purposes.. simply too large.

I'd love to have suppressed firearms for target shooting and hunting and ditch the PITA ear protection, but I refuse to be on the ATF mailing list. I just don't understand the strict laws

[MHGinTN]

Learn how to construct one or two (rifle and pistol versions) then don't make one ... until we are without rule of law. THEN it will save you life to have a really good suppressor on your tools.

In this age, I use an open can (a long Wix filter cut in half with one end completely open) at the range when shooting my AR pistols, because it sends the sound and flash downrange, to the delight of my shooting friends at the range. Does not suppress the sound ... if you were in front of the gun, downrange. I keep them on my tools at home, to surprise uninvited visitors.

[smokingfrog]

There’s no good reason they couldn’t be sold just like any other firearm. Penalties could be applied if used in a crime. It all goes back to the firearms act of 1934.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/remove-suppressors-nfa-regulated-item

[Red in Blue PA]

It is a myth that the ATF has any additional powers over you for owning an NFA item. They still need need to go through all of the requirements as though you didn’t own one. The idea that the ATF can come into your home anytime if you own an NRA item is a myth.

[MediaMole]

Suppressors were regulated to help control poaching during the depression. That, and they were trying to get rid of civilian gun ownership.

[rellimpank]

--the "silencer " stuff came out of one of the first big anti-gun crazes in the 'thirties--Roosevelt's attorney general saw that there was political hay to be made in gun-banning--machine guns , of course had made the headlines with the likes of Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, ,etc.,--(most of them stolen from armories) so the National Firearms Act was passed---with "silencers" thrown in also--

--Homer Cummings even admitted that a complete ban would not be constitutional (Second Amendment) but that taxing something out of existence would be---don't think he would have tried that with printing presses---