[Mat_Helm]

You are perpetuating the myth that sound supressors are illegal. They are manufactured and sold to citizens to this very day. There is a $200 transfer tax and a bit of paperwork, but that's about it.

Most every State does not allow them at all unless for military of LEO. I say most states because I am not aware of any state that does allow a civilian to have one in their possesion. Is there a state that allows civilian use?

The BATF is involved with federal law which allows silencers and automatic weapons with the licence and tax as well until the Brady law placed further restriction.

Where can you own and use a silencer for civilian purposes without legal trouble?

[Travis McGee]

Anyone with a working knowledge of high school physics can build a suppressor in an hour or two after a trip to home depot. It's trivial.

Do you think killers care about gun or suppressor laws?

[wardaddy]

You are incorrect.

[antidisestablishment]

Try Gem-tech or any other legitimate manufacturer:

To the best of our knowledge, silencers are legal for private ownership in the following states: AL, AR, AK, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY. Additionally, they maybe owned by Class 3 dealers and Class 2 manufacturers (but not individuals) in: CA, IA, KS, MA, MO, and MI.

[flashbunny]

http://www.mp5.net/info/sbsconr.htm

A lot of states allow suppressors. Not enough, but quite a few.

[Route66]

'Where can you own and use a silencer for civilian purposes without legal trouble?"

You can in Oregon. I know 3 people who own them legally. You pay your 'tax' to the feds. The paperwork sits on a desk back east for about 9 months. You do a personal interview with the local county sheriff. He asks you why you want it and you say "I'm a collector". After you pass federal and local approval, you are legal. Better guard that thing with your life, though.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"Most every State does not allow them (sound supressors) at all unless for military or LEO. I say most states because I am not aware of any state that does allow a civilian to have one in their possesion. Is there a state that allows civilian use?"

You will be surprised to learn that supressors are banned in only 13 states (CA, DE, HI, IL, KS, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, RI, VT). In Washington, possession is legal, but use is not. In Iowa, ownership is limited to ones designated as collector's items. In the rest, they are quite legal for peons to own and use.

Source: http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/nfa_faq.txt