Buying a suppressor and bringing back to US- can it be done?

[EDELWEISS]

Yes they are cheaper "over there"; but they aren't the same quality as even a mid grade US manufactured suppressor, and they don't come close to the Tier One options. Once you accept that, youll be happier. Assuming now that youre saying but I stood next to one when it was fired and it was like a mouse fart. Great and exactly how to you plan to have any service done, if its ever needed?

Trust me, US laws as stupid as they are, have made US suppressor companies step up to the task. A Tier One suppressor is a gift from heaven, don't cheap out--ask me how I know?

If you really want a South African suppressor, have your PH buy one and keep it for your next trip.

 

[Bullthrower338]

An empty beer can on the floorboard of your truck is an open container, a suppressor attached or not is a suppressor. Short barrels are considered subassemblys. You may own them and have them in your possession while you are waiting on your stamp to be approved, but you damn sure don't want to attach them to a receiver until you have paperwork in hand. I personally find all of it BS, look at statistics of crime committed with class 3 weapons, almost nonexistent! But that is the way it works, pay to play and the only way for that to benefit us us if we were politicians. The US public has been mind raped by Hollywood stigma and how only criminals use a suppressor. If this were the case, other countries with much more restrictive laws than ours would not allow them at all, much less unrestricted.

 

[greyfox]

Are you truly serious? Taking it apart does absolutely nothing to mitigate the fact you are smuggling a controlled class 3 item into the country. In fact it simply will serve to prove ones willful, premeditated intent. It is exactly the same as if you broke apart a semi- auto handgun among three people and attempted to board an aircraft. "Well' it wasn't a pistol until assembled" isn't likely to impress either DHS or the federal judge who eventually will hear the case.

Totally disagree, all except the serial numbered receiver. You go to Africa, stop over in Germany, have an overnight in Frankfurt. Go to Waffen Franconia and purchase a scope and rings - that's a "sub-assembly" once it's installed.

PH wants a timney for his rifle, you get one in the states and take it to him as a gift - trigger assembly is a sub assembly - nothing illegal, unless it violates the countries laws in which you are taking it.

Go to Africa, stop in at a store and buy a trigger assembly for your rifle, bring it home and install it - nothing illegal.
Buy 10 triggers because they are at such a great deal, you've now shown INTENT to distribute and it violates import laws.

Now, the difference becomes 1: serial numbered receiver - that's the part that is FFL controlled - look at Numrich's site, parts are available, receivers require an FFL.

Nothing illegal about taking out of the states, however, plane lands in UK and their laws are different, so you unintentionally violated UK law.

As I stated previously, it's not the BATF to be concerned with, it's the import laws of Department of State and Commerce.

However, I do see the point that would get you into a lot of TROUBLE with the ATF because, forget silencers, think Class III automatic firearms. Possession of the sear and bolt (I forget all the parts required to convert semi to selective fire) without a license could lead to a big legal headache. I'm not sure if possession is legal or not - probably not, so YES, I retract my previous because the more I think about it the more the actions would prove intent to violate law.

However, I know from experience and fact that possession of shotgun barrels less then 18 inches is not an issue until installed.

Lastly, from experience, customer brought me a 12 in rifle barrel, not installed. I do not have a Class III license, I called the ATF and they quoted me the regulation that it is not illegal until it is mounted on the frame (receiver).

 

[thriller]

I still don't think it's worth risking getting in a heap of trouble over to save about 300-400 bucks.

 

[greyfox]

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/atf-national-firearms-act-handbook-appendix/download

§ 5844 Importation. No firearm shall be imported or brought into the United States or any territory under its control or jurisdiction unless the importer establishes, under regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary, that the firearm to be imported or brought in is (1) being imported or brought in for the use of the United States or any department, independent establishment, or agency thereof or any State or possession or any political subdivision thereof; or (2) being imported or brought in for scientific or research purposes; or (3) being imported or brought in solely for testing or use as a model by a registered manufacturer or solely for use as a sample by a registered importer or registered dealer; except that, the Secretary may permit the conditional importation or bringing in of a firearm for examination and testing in connection with classifying the firearm.
§ 5845 Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter- (a) Firearm. The term 'firearm' means (1) a shotgun having a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length; (2) a weapon made from a shotgun if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length; (3) a rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length; (4) a weapon made from a rifle if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length; (5) any other weapon, as defined in subsection (e); (6) a machinegun; (7) any silencer (as defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code); and (8) a destructive device. The term 'firearm' shall not include an antique firearm

There's the answer: NO, period.

 

[lcq]

PH wants a timney for his rifle, you get one in the states and take it to him as a gift - trigger assembly is a sub assembly - nothing illegal, unless it violates the countries laws in which you are taking it.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that State has decreed that you can't export gun parts to a non FFL. I know because I have to go through a licensed importer for even a scope not to mention triggers, mags etc.

 

[greyfox]

Honestly, no idea? Since FFL is a US license, how could someone in say Canada or RSA have a FFL?
I suppose that's why so many of the internet shopping places don't ship overseas?

 

[Jwg223]

I believe a suppressor is considered a firearm, technically, by the batfe, for most intents. I have half a dozen or so of them, and that is my understanding.

-any part of a suppressor is regulated the same as a suppressor...spare baffles are a nono unless you hold a title 7.
-you cannot take possession until the batfe approval.
-you cannot loan them out, unless they remain under your control...shooting with a buddy? Ok. Buddy taking it home for the weekend? Not ok.


Honestly? Just buy one for America, and buy one for Africa, and be aware that ITAR will keep your American can American, so don't think you will take it overseas.

 

[sestoppelman]

Great discussion! As I have no interest in getting a suppressor anyway it would be too costly even here and I hate dealing with the FED where guns stuff is concerned. But to try to finagle one into the states from overseas would be a fools errand. It aint worth it. NO WAY NO WAY NO WAY!

 

[Albert GRANT]

After looking into it you are absolutely right. Not worth trying! However you may want to go shoot some rifles with suppressors before writing them off. I already had one and knew the benefits, but after Africa I have come to love the benefits of suppressors and probably won't shoot a rifle without one again. They do much more than just reducing the noise. (a huge benefit) Granted dealing with the feds is a pain but they do have a bill they are trying to get through to de-regulate suppressors, which needs to, and hopefully does, get passed. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[Dragan N.]

In the socialist workers paradise of Canukistan you get an automatic 8 years in the can for having a supressor attached or not and almost the same for having a magazine that isn't pinned to 5 rounds rifle or 10 pistol. Consider yourself fortunate you can even own and hunt with one. I just dropped cash on behind the ear protectors for hunting where a supressor would have been a much better option.

Yup just for possession. And at the same time armed robbery with a weapon (incl. firearms) gets you usually between 4-12 years, even if you already have a mile long rap sheet https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Canadian_Criminal_Sentencing/Cases/Robbery

Totally makes sense right? (NOT)