39% Increase in Suppressor Ownership in Past Year
There has been a huge growth in the number of registered suppressors in the USA. From 2014 to 2015, the number of NFA-registered suppressors rose from 571,150 to 792,282. That’s a 39% increase in just one year! It’s remarkable that there are nearly 800,000 suppressors now registered in the USA. These stats are based on data published in the latest Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) Firearms Commerce Report.
According to Knox Williams, president of the American Suppressor Association, “The suppressor market grew more [from 2014-2015] than it did in the previous two years combined. This unprecedented growth is in large part due to educational initiatives, and the passage of 11 pro-suppressor laws and regulations last year.” (Source: Guns.com.)
We expect suppressors (also known as “cans”, “silencers” or “sound moderators”) to become even more popular in the years to come. This trend will continue: “As more target shooters and hunters realize the many benefits suppressors provide, their popularity across the United States will continue to increase,” said NSSF Senior Vice president and General Counsel Larry Keane.
Texas Leads the Way in Suppressor Ownership
Currently, 41 states permit ownership of Federally-registered suppressors. While suppressor ownership rates are increasing in all those 41 states, forty percent (40%) of all registered suppressors are found in five key states: Texas (130,769), Georgia (59,942), Florida (50,422), Utah (50,291) and Oklahoma (27,874).
Suppressor CAD drawing by Reimo Soosaar, hosted on GrabCAD.com.
Silencer infographic by SilencerCo.com.
Similar Posts:
- Suppressor Sales Rise in United States
- Huge Increase in U.S. Gun Production in Recent Years
- Intro to Suppressors — How Silencers Work
- Texas and S. Dakota Governors Go East to Recruit Gun Makers
- How to Legally Purchase and Register a Suppressor
Tags: ATF, BATFE, CAD, CAD Drawing, NFA, Silencer, SilencerCo, Sound Moderator, Suppressor, Texas
I find the term ‘silencer’ to be the issue a lot of time – ‘suppressor’ or ‘moderator’ are a) more accurate terms regarding the function, and b) don’t carry the potentially sinister reputation that ‘silencer’ does.
Personally, having shot with and without suppressors on a number of platforms, I would go with the can every day of the week; just a shame that in my country (Australia) these ‘silencer things’ are perceived only to be of use to criminals!
Both the reduction in over-pressure/sound to the gun crew (and to those in the immediate vicinity) and the reduction in recoil are completely legit Health and Safety issues.
If we really, really want to grow this the NRA needs to make them legal for competition. If they did that the number would double in a year.
140 db is most certainly NOT a safe level. Where did this crap come from?
140 db is the pain threshold, absolutely NOT a safe level.
I’m afraid those commenting on “dB levels” largely have no clue what they’re talking about. They are confusing damage-risk criteria for continuous versus impulse sound. 140 dB(A) continuous is way into the pain/rapid damage area but impulses that do not exceed 140dBSPL -peak- are a very different story. Hitting a hammer on steel is probably a good 140 peak
ChrisNZ (clinical audiologist)
Being subjected to 140 db or more can lead to permanent hearing damage. A crack from thunder is roughly 120 db. I suggest you read the reports on the CDC (centers for disease control and prevention) website. I can assure you that hitting a piece of steel with a hammer is nowhere close to 140 peak. Gunshots, depending upon caliber, are 120 – 195 db. A single gunshot can cause permanent damage. It would appear it is you, who has no clue.
Richard-
Before you embarrass yourself any more, I suggest you get some professional advice or at least do a –lot– more reading. You’re comparing apples with elephants. You’re trying to give basic advice to someone who is qualified to comment.
Here you go, professional. From well educated, experienced professionals:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/noise/signs.htm
http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Recreational-Firearm-Noise-Exposure
Chris,
BTW; I do have some experience with hearing loss, and the causes of it. Due to having been born with no hearing in my left ear, I wear a CROS aid, and have a significant loss in my right ear due to shooting. My hearing is evaluated by an audiologist and ENT Doctor twice each year.
Richard- Having a disability does not make you any expert in the area.
You have pretty much proved my point by the first line in the second (layman’s level) “reference”. 140dBSPL -peak- is considered the cutoff point for safe exposure to impulse sound, despite your opinion that it is “most defintely NOT safe”.
I suggest you do some reading on the temporal aspects of hazardous noise as well as the pathophysiology of noise exposure.
Being emphatic does not make you any more correct. You clearly don’t know what you don’t know. End of discussion.
“140 db can cause immediate damage”. One thing that stands out most about you Chris, and is abundantly clear is this: you make a living evaluating hearing/loss thereof, and selling hearing aids. What better reason to advocate your malarkey. Enough said!
What a pathetic and illogical statement Richard.
Keep digging the hole..