Suppressed air rifle

[geezerbiker]

Anybody here familiar with the laws about suppressing and air rifle.  I've heard that it's much less hassle than for powder burner...

Tony

[Lonegun1894]

This is an area I have never understood.  The way it was always explained to me, including by ATF agents, is that the suppressor itself is registered as the "firearm", however, I can walk into Walmart right now, and buy a suppressed air rifle without any kind of paperwork.  If a suppressor is a suppressor is a suppressor, regardless of what it's mounted on, or even if not mounted, then how exactly are these legal?  Don't get me wrong, I am always for fewer restrictions, especially when they are on a safety device made to protect our hearing, and think there should be no restrictions on suppressors for any of us, but have always been of the belief that I would much rather complain about BS laws from outside a jail cell, than inside.

[Victor3]

As I recall (I haven't looked at it for some years), the legalese states something to the effect of "designed to reduce the report of a firearm..."

My past reading of the law leads me to believe that airgun silencers - those not designed to be fitted to a firearm - are perfectly legal. That said, I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole anything other than a factory-produced, commercially available and integral to the airgun silencer.

Most LEOs are not well versed on firearm laws. If they happen to see you shooting your Crosman air pistol with a homemade can screwed onto the muzzle, chances are you'll be arrested, charged and maybe spend $10K on a lawyer who might eventually prove in court that your detachable .177 cal silencer is legal for you to own.

[geezerbiker]

I've been looking at the 9mm air rifle over at Pyramid Air for a long while and if I get one, I also want to suppress it if possible.  I know the paint ball guys used to suppress their PB guns and that didn't require a permit.  However that news is way old and I did hear about a few of them being questioned by the feds from time to time.

If I ever pull this project together, I'll epoxy the suppressor in place so there's no question about me fitting it to one of my firearms.  Right now this is out of my budget but I could save up for it and maybe by fall this year or spring next, I can easily afford one...

Update, I just found this article at Pyramid Air and I'm dropping the idea of doing this.
http://www.pyramydair.com/article/Airgun_silencers_What_s_the_big_deal_August_2006/32

Tony

[mechanic]

Here is an excerpt from the ATF handbook:

http://www.atf.gov/content/are-paintball-andor-airgun-sound-suppressers-nfa-firearms

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Are Paintball Andor Airgun Sound Suppressers Nfa Firearms
 
 
Are Paintball and/or Airgun Sound Suppressers NFA firearms?

The terms “firearm silencer” and “firearm muffler” mean any device for silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of a portable firearm, including any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for use in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, and any part intended only for use in such assembly or fabrication.

Numerous paintball and airgun silencers tested by ATF’s Firearms Technology Branch have been determined to be, by nature of their design and function, firearm silencers. Because silencers are NFA weapons, an individual wishing to manufacture or transfer such a silencer must receive prior approval from ATF and pay the required tax. See also “What are the required transfer procedures for an individual who is not qualified as a manufacturer, importer, or dealer of NFA firearms?” and “How does an individual obtain authorization to make an NFA firearm?” for application details.

If you have any further questions as to the classification of a paintball or airgun silencer, please send a written request to ATF’s Firearms Technology Branch.

[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(24), 26 U.S.C. 5845(a), 27 CFR 479.11]


Gamo and others have the silencer as an integral part of the barrel.  If it is cut off for any reason, it becomes subject to ATF,
Ben

[cwlongshot]

One big criteria is a AG INABILITY to silence even a single gun shot. This is usually accomplished by building from thin light plastics. AG simply don't have the "blast" of even a 22 short so building or. That will hold up to a AG but not a single Firearm is pretty easy.

MANUFACTURERS partially get away with it by "permimtaly" attaching them to barrels.

Lastly they a usually attach with friction fit or grub screws. Neither would stay on if used on a firearm.

TKO is a company that makes a very good AG device. Shoot them a email. Good people. Www.tko22.com

CW