Sienna Rhodes
In the United States, the federal government heavily regulates silencers under the National Firearms Act. However, in Arizona, silencers are legal to own and use for target shooting, home defence, hunting, or any other legal use. Arizona has made silencer ownership legal, and they are designated as Class 3 Firearms by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. To own a silencer in Arizona, one must purchase from a licensed dealer and complete the ATF registration paperwork. This includes filling out a Form 4 and sending it to the ATF for approval, which can take several months. Despite gun silencers being classified as a prohibited weapon by state law, A.R.S. 17-251 allows for their possession for hunting. Arizona Governor Hobbs vetoed Senate Bill 1109 in 2023, which would have removed gun silencers from the list of prohibited weapons within the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality in Arizona | Legal to own and use, but regulated |
| Legality in the US | Legal in most states, but heavily regulated by the federal government |
| Registration | Required through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives |
| Purchase | Available from authorized Arizona FFL dealers or out-of-state dealers |
| Requirements | Form 4, $200 tax, fingerprints, photo, and extensive paperwork |
| Benefits | Reduced sound and recoil, improved shooting experience, hearing protection |
| Use Cases | Target shooting, home defense, hunting, personal protection |
| Restrictions | Considered a Class 3 firearm, requiring a special license |
| Legislation | SB1109, HB2111 |
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What You'll Learn
Arizona's gun laws
Arizona broadly permits adults to possess firearms, but this does not include gun silencers unless the owner has the proper federal registration. According to Arizona state law, any device designed to muffle the sound of a firearm is considered a prohibited weapon, and possession of such a device is a felony. However, an exception is made for the use of silencers while hunting.
In 2023, Arizona Governor Hobbs vetoed Senate Bill 1109, which would have removed gun silencers from the list of prohibited weapons within the state. The bill would have also ended state enforcement of federal regulations on firearm sound suppressors, making them legal in Arizona and removing all state restrictions.
Despite the veto, silencers are still legal in Arizona. Arizona has made silencer ownership legal, and they are designated as Class 3 Firearms by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. To legally purchase a silencer in Arizona, one must find an authorized Arizona NFA dealer and fill out a Form 4 to be sent to the ATF for approval. The process can take several months, and a $200 tax must be paid to the federal government.
Silencers are regulated items and fall under the authority of the National Firearms Act (NFA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. They are also subject to extensive paperwork and months-long waits for approval. However, some states have loosened their laws in recent years, and Arizona, like most states, allows civilians to own and hunt with a silencer. Proponents of silencer legalization argue that silencers are not dangerous and should not be subject to more stringent regulations than the firearms to which they attach.
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Buying a suppressor in Arizona
Arizona is one of the 42 states where it is legal to own and use a suppressor. Most states allow silencer ownership and use in hunting. In Arizona, you can use your silencer for target shooting, home defence, hunting, or any other legal use.
To own a silencer in Arizona, you must be a legal firearm owner and have the proper federal registration. You can purchase a silencer from a local licensed dealer, who will complete the ATF registration paperwork. The federal government charges a $200 tax on the purchase of the device, known as an NFA tax stamp. You will also need to provide a form with your name, fingerprints, and a photo, as well as the serial number of the firearm.
One way to simplify the buying process is to obtain a gun trust. A gun trust is a legal arrangement where one person, the beneficiary, can own the property of another person, the trustee, on their behalf. The trustee and beneficiary can be the same person, allowing for property ownership that has extended legal benefits. A gun trust can make it easier to purchase other firearms and regulated accessories in the future.
Another option for purchasing a suppressor is to buy online through a site like Silencer Shop, which has a network of over 6,000 dealers nationwide. The process is simple and can be completed in 5 steps. You will need to select the suppressor you want, add the tax stamp to your order, and choose how you would like to register (trust, individual, or corporation). You can then pick up your suppressor from a local dealer.
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Hunting with a suppressor
Arizona is one of 42 states where it is legal to own and use a suppressor. In Arizona, you can use your silencer for target shooting, home defense, hunting, or any other legal use.
To own a silencer in Arizona, you can purchase from a local licensed dealer, who will complete the ATF registration paperwork. However, the federal government heavily regulates silencers under the National Firearms Act, requiring extensive paperwork and a $200 tax on the purchase of the device.
When hunting with a suppressor, it is important to have a suppressor that can maintain accuracy and precision when installed, removed, and reinstalled on your rifle. It is normal to have a point-of-impact shift when shooting with and without a suppressor, but as long as the precision and repeatability of the suppressor are constant, your zero will be dead-on every time you shoot.
The benefits of hunting with a suppressor include protecting your hearing and the hearing of your hunting companions. Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common affliction for hunters, as hunters forgo hearing protection so they can hear their surroundings. Suppressors also prevent animals from running for their lives, instead causing them to stand still in confusion, which increases the opportunity for follow-up shots. Additionally, suppressors avoid disturbing local residents.
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Suppressors as a class 3 firearm
In the context of firearms, "Class 3" is a slang term used to describe items regulated by the National Firearms Act (NFA). The NFA, passed in 1934 and amended in 1968, requires federal registration and a $200 tax for certain items, including suppressors (also known as silencers), full-auto machine guns, short-barrel rifles, and short-barrel shotguns.
While the term "Class 3" is commonly used, it is important to note that there is technically no such thing as "Class 3 firearms" or licenses. The NFA market has evolved rapidly in recent years, and the term "Class 3" is often used as a shorthand to describe NFA-regulated items or transfers.
In the state of Arizona, the use and ownership of suppressors are legal. However, they are considered prohibited weapons under state law if the owner does not have the proper federal registration. To own a suppressor in Arizona, individuals must register it through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and pay the $200 tax.
It is important to note that while Arizona broadly permits adults to possess firearms, the laws and regulations regarding suppressors may change over time. As of spring 2023, Arizona Governor Hobbs vetoed Senate Bill 1109, which would have removed gun silencers from the list of prohibited weapons in the state.
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Suppressors and federal regulations
In the United States, suppressors, commonly known as silencers, are regulated by the federal government under the National Firearms Act (NFA) and the Gun Control Act (GCA). The federal government charges a $200 tax on the purchase of suppressors, and the process to legally acquire one involves extensive paperwork and a months-long wait after filing with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The American Suppressor Association (ASA) aims to ease these restrictions at the federal level, advocating for a better environment for businesses and consumers. Their long-term goal is to remove suppressors from the NFA through the passage of the Hearing Protection Act (HPA). The ASA also seeks to streamline the NFA process, reduce transfer times, and address the ATF's burdensome regulation of suppressor parts and components.
In 2023, Arizona Governor Hobbs vetoed Senate Bill 1109 (SB1109), which aimed to remove gun silencers from the list of prohibited weapons in the state. According to Arizona state law, any device designed to muffle the report of a firearm is considered a prohibited weapon, and possession of such a device is a felony. However, an exception is made under A.R.S. 17-251, which allows for the possession of silencers for hunting or taking wildlife.
The SHUSH Act (Silencers Helping Us Save Hearing Act), introduced by Senator Mike Lee, aims to simplify suppressor rules at the federal level. The act seeks to eliminate excessive regulation, simplify the purchase process, and treat suppressors as any other firearm accessory, exempt from background checks. It proposes removing suppressors from the NFA and GCA regulations, eliminating associated taxes, fees, and registration requirements, and allowing law enforcement officers to carry firearms with suppressors. The SHUSH Act has received support from various gun rights and sports shooting organisations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, suppressors are legal in Arizona. Arizona has made silencer ownership legal, and they can be used for target shooting, home defence, hunting, or any other legal use.
Yes, sound suppressors are considered a Class 3 firearm, which requires a special license. To obtain a license, you must fill out a Form 4, which will be sent to the ATF for approval.
You can purchase a suppressor from any authorized Arizona FFL dealer or a dealer outside of your state. You will need to fill out a Form 4 and send it to the ATF along with additional documents. You must also send a copy of your Form 4 to the local Chief Law Enforcement Official.
