The process of legally acquiring a firearm sound suppressor in the United States involves navigating federal regulations established by the National Firearms Act (NFA). This act, enacted in 1934, governs the ownership of certain items, including silencers, also known as suppressors. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory for legal possession.
The rationale for regulating suppressors stems from historical concerns related to crime and public safety. However, modern arguments in favor of suppressor ownership cite benefits such as noise reduction for hunting and shooting sports, hearing protection, and minimizing disturbance to surrounding communities. The technology has evolved to improve accuracy and reduce recoil in some firearm platforms.