Is it Legal to Own or Make a Silencer in Texas?

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I'm quite sure that I saw a silencer in a gun shop. I think I'll just buy one and they'll help me obtain it legally.
 
Go to a class III shop that has suppressors for sale, fill out the application to BATF get the all the needed signatures, the shop will put the serial number on the application, you will have to pay for it or leave a deposit. Send to BATF, wait , then wait, then wait somemore. The approval stamp, and it is a stamp, along with the application approval will someday come back. Then the shop will release your suppressor to you. In the mean time get the proper threaded barrel for the firearm with the proper thread count that matches the suppresor ready to go. Purchase sub-sonic ammo if possible. Oh don't forget the $200.00 check to BATF that they will cash in less then 24hrs. While you wait, and then wait, then wait somemore.
 
Where do you live in TX?

Silencers/suppressors/cans are legal here, you can either fill out a Form 1 and make one if you have access to a machine shop and know what you are doing, or fill out a Form 4 and buy one that is already made.
 
I found this site on building silencers:
Click to expand...

I wouldn't take any of that too seriously. Things like rubber washers and PVC pipe are generally not considered good materials for making cans out of these days.

Most suppressors are made out of aluminum, steel, or titanium.
 
I don't think its legal to make silencers in any state...be careful or you'll end up in big trouble an a felony offense....someone correct me if I'm wrong....
 
Thanks TexasRifleman.... this gets me up to date, guess the key now is knowing the state laws, an we know how much they vary!!!
 
I believe Texas just passed a law making silencers made in Texas legal for Texans (ONLY!) without the federal stuff...but I would ask someone in the know before proceeeding.
 
Silencers are banned in TX, but registration is an affirmative defence to prosecution. In other words, they are legal and guns shops that are class 3 SOT's sell them to anyone who gets the ATF forms approved. The ATF approves all ATF form 1's and 4's for making or buying silencers as long as they are filled out correctly. 38 states allow unlicensed civilians to own silencers.

Take a look at http://www.silencertests.com for more info.

Ranb
 
I believe Texas just passed a law making silencers made in Texas legal for Texans (ONLY!) without the federal stuff...but I would ask someone in the know before proceeeding.
Click to expand...

Hasn't passed yet, but even if it does I wouldn't touch an NFA item with a ten foot pole under that law.

You'd still be in violation of Federal law in their opinion.

The text of the bill isn't posted yet that I have seen so it's entirely possible it excludes NFA items anyway like the one in Montana.
Can't remember if the Montana law excludes all NFA or just machineguns, but I can't imagine who wants to be the test case for this.

Upside is that according to what I have heard about the bill it would require the Texas Attorney General office to defend a Texan in Federal Court.

I still don't want to be first :)
 
TexasRifleman said:
The text of the bill isn't posted yet that I have seen so it's entirely possible it excludes NFA items anyway like the one in Montana.
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The Montana law only excludes automatic weapons and weapons with a bore of 39.5mm diameter or larger. SBR, SBS, AOW, DDs and suppressors are all allowed under their new law.
 
The Montana law only excludes automatic weapons and weapons with a bore of 39.5mm diameter or larger.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Does it also have the language like the one here, requiring the Montana AG to defend citizens in Federal court?

I don't think it will pass in Texas honestly, but it's an interesting law.
 
I found this site on building silencers:
http://www.gun-shots.net/make-silencer.shtml
Am I going to have to get seperate paperwork for each silencer?
Click to expand...

The directions on silencer building in that llink are just plain BAD. Any silencer that is made from materials that melt and touch the bullet is a piece of crap. While silencers equipped with wipes can reduce noise very well, they ruin accuracy and wear out quickly.

I bought the "Silencer History and Performence" books. They are useful references and interesting reads. They have only a few drawings of silencer internals and are not meant to be a guide on silencer construction. I bought one of the other books listed in the link on making silencers, it was crap.

Generally any book that does not give directions on use of a lathe or milling machine to make a silencer is probably not worth reading in my opinion. It is easy to learn how to use a lathe to make a long lasting effective silencer, so much so that I just can not believe that anyone would want to waste money (and the $200 tax) to make a PVC/tennis ball silencer legally.

You must submit the ATF form 1 (in duplicate), form 5330.20, fingerprint cards, your photos and a check for $200 for each silencer you make if you do not have an FFL/SOT class 2. If you submit multiple form 1's, then you only need to submit one set of finger print cards for the set.

Ranb
 
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