Silencers are legal but are regulated by federal law and on a state-by-state basis by the Nation Firearm Act (NFA) branch of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BAFTE). Private citizens can legally purchase and possess silencers in 42 states* without a permit.
To purchase a silencer the following qualifications apply:
-RESIDE IN ONE OF THE 42 STATES THAT CURRENTLY ALLOW CIVILIAN OWNERSHIP
-BE A RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
-BE LEGALLY ELIGIBLE TO PURCHASE A FIREARM
-PASS A BATFE BACKGROUND CHECK
-BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE TO PURCHASE FROM A DEALER
-BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE TO PURCHASE FROM ANOTHER CITIZEN
*If you are an FFL dealer, manufacturer, peace officer, or member of a law enforcement agency or other government agency, there are additional states where you can own a silencer.