Posted on 04/14/2011 6:28:35 AM PDT by marktwain
Although Gov. Christine Gregoire yesterday signed legislation that legalizes the use of firearm sound suppressors in Washington State, the law does not actually take effect until 90 days after the end of the current legislative session.
That means the first legal opportunity one will have to actually shoot a gun with a mounted suppressor – they are called “cans” by fans of the devices – is probably July 23. That’s 90 calendar days after the Legislature is due to adjourn, on April 24.
However, that ought to be just about the right timing for someone interested in getting one of these devices because it takes time to get through the process. One must pay $200 for the federal tax stamp and get a local chief law enforcement officer to sign off on the paperwork. Happy shooters are carrying on discussions about the law change on several forums, including here, here and here. This announcement even made news on a pro-marijuana forum!
Contrary to what opponents of this measure contended, it will not open a door for criminals to rush out and buy “silencers” to use in drive-by shootings and other illegal activities, including poaching. Suppressors are heavily-regulated products, and can be fairly expensive, ranging anywhere from a few hundred to a thousand dollars apiece. Gang bangers are not likely to be lining up at gun shop counters to purchase these things. Suppressors have been legal to own in Washington State for several years, but people just couldn't use them here, a situation that critics of the current law compare to being allowed to buy a sports car but not drive it.
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
I have heard, but not actually tried, that a lawnmower muffler can be suitably modified to make a somewhat adequate sound suppressor. Does anybody know if this is true or just BS? I know you have to drill out the center and do some tack welding..........
For smaller calibers, I’ve heard that an empty 2 liter soda bottle can suppress sound as well. Never tried it...
Given that each silencer made in the US, unless one is a licensed manufacturer, must be registered and have a $200 tax paid, it's worth it to do it right.
But even simple threaded tubes with drilled freeze plugs or stacks of fender washers and spacers can work fairly well.
The NFA was and is an ill-conceived and useless piece of legislation.
Ironically, suppressors are easily purchased in Europe (where guns are heavily restricted). It’s considered rude NOT to use one - which makes sense in an area as heavily populated as some parts of the Continent.
Finest suppressors out there!
A New Jersey silencer?
Drat. My assassination business can’t start before after the summer holiday? The point was to finance the holiday. Bureocrats :(.
Don’t forget to submit the paperwork and pay the $200 tax FIRST.
At which point you figure it’s better to make a real firearm suppressor rather than hacking up some makeshift POS.
If I’m gonna make an illegal thing in the first place, I’m not gonna tell the government by paying the TAX!...............
Is that what it’s called? Doesn’t sound good...lol.
If you pay the tax it won’t be illegal.
Silencers are not illegal, just regulated.
Wear adequate eye protection if you do try it. Those bottles tend to fly apart.
What’s that — a dead guy on the end of your pistol?
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