A silencer or suppressor is any device that can be attached to a firearm be it a rifle or pistol that lowers or muffles the report of a firearm. Pennsylvania silencer laws allow for use of silencers in PA for multiple reasons.

• Hunting
• Home Defense
• Hearing Protection and Noise Reduction
• Any Legal Use as Authorized by Pennsylvania Law

Silencers are regulated items and as such fall under the authority of the National Firearms Act (NFA) and are treated the same as a machine gun.

Requirements For Legally Purchasing a Silencers in Pennsylvania

• You must be a resident of the State of Pennsylvania
• You must be at the least 21 years of age
• You must be legally able to purchase a firearm
• You must be able to pass an ATF background check
• You must pay a fee of $200 to the ATF for each silencer you purchase

Silencers Are Designated as A Class 3 Firearms In PA

Silencers are designated as Class 3 Firearms by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. They are regulated items under the National Firearms Act (NFA).

These regulations were passed by the federal government on June 26, 1934 as a means to discourage unscrupulous persons from obtaining Class 3 weapons and lengthening prison sentences for those to be found in violation of the law.

Types of Silencers

• Rimfire: Rimfire silencers are designed for low pressure, low power cartridges such as the .22 or .17hmr. These types of silencers are not designed to handle the higher pressures of rifle type ammunition. Having been designed to handle lower pressures and lower power it is highly advised not to use these types of silencers on a rifle. One hug advantage of a rimfire silencer is you can almost get that “Hollywood” quiet effect.
• Rifle: Rifle silencers are designed to handle the high pressures associated with center fire cartridges. These types of silencers are designed to handle cartridges up to .50 BMG. They can be pricey in cost however, what is your hearing worth?
• Pistol: Pistol silencers are designed to handle the lower pressures of handgun rounds and may even be used with some of the sub-sonic ammunition’s that are on the market.

Purchasing A Silencer in Pennsylvania

Once you have found the silencer you wish to purchase you will need to fill out a Form 4 which will be sent to the ATF for approval. Most NFA dealers will help you with this paperwork.

You will not be able to take possession of the silencer until this process has completed. It can take several months or up to a year for this process to complete and for you to obtain your PA silencer tax stamp so be patient.

The Form 4 along with these additional documents must be sent to the ATF:

• $200 Check to the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives
• FBI Form FD-258s which must be in black ink
• Passport photos

The last thing you need to do is send a copy of your Form 4 to the local Chief Law Enforcement Official.

When you go to pick up your silencer, you will fill out a 4473 (like any other firearm purchase).