Question About Suppressor Legislation

[Ronin13]

So my question, kind of a derail... I want a suppressor for my Sig P229... should I get a Gemtech or an AAC? It's kind of odd thought that most suppressors I've seen cost around $240-300, and the tax stamp is almost as much as the suppressor. I would like to see some "roll back" on the NFA laws and make these legal. It doesn't make sense to have something like a suppressor illegal- from a logic standpoint they don't make a gun completely silent, they do not aid in conceal-ability, they don't make a gun more deadly, they really have no other purpose, these days, other than make shooting a little easier on the ears. And dammit I want one for my pistol and AR.

[GilpinGuy]

http://www.ar-15.co/threads/53166-su...-while-hunting

Freaking cool as hell!

[Aloha_Shooter]

Title 18 › Part I › Chapter 44 › § 923
(i)Licensed importers and licensed manufacturers shall identify by means of a serial number engraved or cast on the receiver or frame of the weapon, in such manner as the Attorney General shall by regulations prescribe, each firearm imported or manufactured by such importer or manufacturer.

Title 18 › Part I › Chapter 44 == GCA

Read what you just quoted. That section is not retroactive against "all firearms" (which is what ByteStryke was reacting to). I received a pre-GCA Mossberg M44US(a) a few months ago that has no serial number, all perfectly legal and didn't bother the FFLs on either end of the shipment.

[asmo]

Read what you just quoted. That section is not retroactive against "all firearms" (which is what ByteStryke was reacting to). I received a pre-GCA Mossberg M44US(a) a few months ago that has no serial number, all perfectly legal and didn't bother the FFLs on either end of the shipment.

Okay I see the confusion. I should have said "all NEW firearms need to have serial numbers".

That said - retroactive laws are illegal (ex post facto). So it goes without saying.

[DHC]

I think this is a great idea. It is much the same tactic in constant use by gun-grabbers; they reach for the stars and then negotiate down to something that still amounts to significant infringement of the 2A. Instead of holding our ground and not letting them take anything else, we should start the conversation at the repeal of all past infringement.

Until recently, I am ashamed to admit that I was largely ignorant of the earlier legislation. I am still ignorant of many of the specific restrictions contained in the earlier laws. A brief summary looks like this:


* 1791 - Second Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified.

* 1934 - National Firearms Act (NFA) restricted: full-auto, short-barreled guns, silencers. Voided by the National Firearms Act (known as Gun Control Act/GCA) of 1968.

* 1938 - Federal Firearms Act. Required sellers to have a Federal Firearms License, record names and addresses of buyers, prohibited sales to people convicted of certain crimes.

* 1968 - Gun Control Act. Outlawed mail-order sales, expanded licensing (FFL) requirements to include more detailed records, restrictions of handgun sales across state lines, expanded prohibitions to anyone convicted of a felony, added import restrictions ("sporting purpose" test), added firearm marking requirements.

* 1986 - Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act. Outlawed armor-piercing ammunition. [not sure of this citation - unable to confirm]

* 1986 - Firearm Owners Protection Act. Addressed abuses of prosecution by ATF. Allowed interstate long gun sales, OK to ship ammo via USPS, "safe passage" provisions added, restricted ATF harassment of FFL holders.

* 1990 - Crime Control Act. Created "drug-free" school zones. Also contained the Gun Free School Zones Act containing criminal penalties for possessing firearms in a school zone.

* 1994 - Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. Established instant background check system (NICS), expanded prohibitions for firearm ownership to even some misdemeanor offenses (and many other prohibitions).

* 1994 - Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. Included the 'Assault Weapon Ban' which expired in 2004. Included the Violence Against Women Act which expired in 2012. Included the Federal Death Penalty Act which added the death penalty for numerous crimes.

I doubt this is a complete list of all restrictive legislation and it does not begin to address how ATF interprets and enforces the laws, but it is at least a start. I see a LOT of things to address - such as:

- Silencers (as mentioned upthread)
- Short-barreled guns
- "Sporting Purpose" test on imports
- misdemeanor offenses resulting in prohibition
- felons with a lifetime ban

At least these deserve to be addressed as to WHY the restrictions exist and perhaps some easing of restrictions. Example, I can see the argument that some felons should not be allowed to own firearms - but ALL felons? And the law to prohibit someone convicted of a DV charge - especially when DV charges are handed out with virtually no basis in fact is clearly an area that needs relief - as are many others.

Anyone else have items to add?

[mtnrider]

? It's kind of odd thought that most suppressors I've seen cost around $240-300, and the tax stamp is almost as much as the suppressor. .

Where the heck are you finding suppressors for that cheap? Everything I have seen starts at about $600 and goes up from there.

[MarkCO]

Where the heck are you finding suppressors for that cheap? Everything I have seen starts at about $600 and goes up from there.

.22 lr are as low as $230. Centerfire starts at about $550.

[mtnrider]

.22 lr are as low as $230. Centerfire starts at about $550.

Gotcha. When he said he wanted to suppress his P229 I assumed he found suppressors for that gun around $250

[asmo]

Until recently, I am ashamed to admit that I was largely ignorant of the earlier legislation. I am still ignorant of many of the specific restrictions contained in the earlier laws. A brief summary looks like this:

* 1934 - National Firearms Act (NFA) restricted: full-auto, short-barreled guns, silencers. Voided by the National Firearms Act (known as Gun Control Act/GCA) of 1968.
* 1968 - Gun Control Act. Outlawed mail-order sales, expanded licensing (FFL) requirements to include more detailed records, restrictions of handgun sales across state lines, expanded prohibitions to anyone convicted of a felony, added import restrictions ("sporting purpose" test), added firearm marking requirements.
* 1990 - Crime Control Act. Created "drug-free" school zones. Also contained the Gun Free School Zones Act containing criminal penalties for possessing firearms in a school zone.

Two quick things. The GCA did not nullify the NFA. They are both alive and well.
The NFA is USC › Title 26 › Subtitle E › Chapter 53
The GCA is USC › Title 18 › Part I › Chapter 44

For your reading if you come accross the words "Title I" or "Title II" - The NFA is commonly referred to as Title II and the GCA is Title I --- backwards I know.


When referring to the GFSZA you need to look at whether your talking about before or after it was ruled unconsitutional - and reborn anew.

Anyone else have items to add?

Dont have time to go through this in detail but there is more -- especially if you include caselaw and state laws... I think someone did a count once and it was over 160k firearms laws already on the books (counting state, local, county, federal, etc.).