Even though the lawyers have been running the ATF for years.-- And if you ask the BATF they "can't offer a legal opinion because we're not lawyers."
But they will be happy to give an opinion that you broke the law if needed, at your trial.
Even though the lawyers have been running the ATF for years.-- And if you ask the BATF they "can't offer a legal opinion because we're not lawyers."
Based largely on the letter supplied by joeschmoe in Post #15, it looks like the simple answer to your question is, "as soon as the proper authority visually identifies those supplies as a suppressor."
The ATF definition of something that reduces sound by 1 decibel or more is also meaningless and arbitrary. A few inches of firearm barrel will reduce a firearm report by more than that, and in some cartridges a single inch will.
Actually, there are procedures whereby one can ask, in writing, for a formal opinion from ATF. The opinion will be binding on the ATF. But one must know how to go about it.-Xero- said:-- And if you ask the BATF they "can't offer a legal opinion because we're not lawyers."
And one must always keep in mind that ATF has been known to change their minds. But having the written "opinion" should forestall a trip to Club Fed.Actually, there are procedures whereby one can ask, in writing, for a formal opinion from ATF. The opinion will be binding on the ATF. But one must know how to go about it.