[backwoods-engineer]

I understand the ban on sound suppressors, but what about silencers? Are they illegal too?

You're not a hoplophobe, are you?

Neither silencers (a brand name that became generic) nor sound suppressors (the generic term) are illegal from a federal standpoint; they are banned in some (hoplophobic) states.

Federal law requires that if you pass the background check, get your local LEO to sign off, and pay the $200 tax, you can buy a suppressor.

Unlike you, I do not "understand" why ownership of suppressors requires so much legal scrutiny, or why they are illegal in hoplophobic states. It's a muffler. Prior to 1934, they were sold in hardware stores.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

You're not a hoplophobe, are you?

Are you kidding? I brew my own beer; just finished a 5-gallon batch of Pilsener (brewing, that is; not drinking!).