Suppressor laws by state
Can you own a suppressor, can you hunt with one, and what does buying look like now? Last checked against two state-by-state sources[2][3]. Ownership is legal in 42 states and hunting in 41, which matches the American Suppressor Association's count[4].
- 42states where owning one is legal
- 41allow hunting with one (2 with limits)
- 27with no state NFA step, per Silencer Shop[1]
- 8ban civilian ownership
Read this first
- Since Oct 9, 2026, ATF says it will not enforce the NFA approval and registration requirements for suppressors, for anyone, as a matter of enforcement discretion after the Aug 5, 2026 N.D. Tex. ruling in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF. ATF still accepts voluntary forms, and says enforcement could resume if Congress adds a tax, the injunction is overturned, or the Department rescinds the policy.[5][6]
- ATF says most states require NFA items to comply with federal law or be registered, and that it cannot say whether an unregistered suppressor counts as lawfully held under state law. The "Buying process now" column is Silencer Shop's classification (it is a retailer and a plaintiff in the case): 27 states with no state NFA process, 15 where the Form 4 process still runs, 8 bans. We have not independently confirmed how each state treats an unregistered suppressor.[6][1]
- State law is not superseded by the federal change, and federal law still bars dealers from transferring in violation of state law. The eight states that ban civilian ownership still ban it, as does Washington, D.C. per Silencer Shop.[6][1]
- The own and hunt columns summarize two secondary sources (dates shown) that assume federal registration. This is not legal advice; confirm with your state statute or an attorney before buying.[2][3]
- Legal to own and hunt
- Legal to own; hunting limited
- Legal to own; no hunting
- Civilian ownership banned
| State | Own one | Hunt with one | Buying process now[1] | What applies | Statute or rule (as cited by source) | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | No state restriction on owning or hunting with one; federal law applies. | Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-2-.02 | [2][3] |
| Alaska | Yes | Yes | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Unregistered possession is a state weapons crime; registered is fine. | AS 11.61.200 | [2][3] |
| Arizona | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Statute bars the Game and Fish Commission from banning suppressors, hunting included. | A.R.S. 17-251 | [2][3] |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Possession legal with NFA compliance since 2019. | Ark. Act 495 of 2019 | [2][3] |
| California | No | No | Banned | Manufacture, possession and transfer are illegal, even with federal approval. | Cal. Penal Code 33410 | [2][3] |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes | State law: Form 4 process still runs | State law prohibits them unless acquired legally under federal law (NFA). | C.R.S. 18-12-102 | [2][3] |
| Connecticut | Yes | No | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Owning one is legal if acquired under the NFA; hunting with one is banned for every species. | Conn. Gen. Stat. 26-75 | [2][3] |
| Delaware | No | No | Banned | Possession is a felony with no exception for federally registered owners. | 11 Del. C. 1444 | [2][3] |
| Florida | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | No state possession restriction; hunting-rule ban removed in 2014. | Rule 68A-12.002, F.A.C. | [2][3] |
| Georgia | Yes | Limited | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Hunting use allowed on your own land, private land with the owner's permission, and WMAs. | GA Hunting Regulations 2026–27 | [2][3] |
| Hawaii | No | No | Banned | Classified as a prohibited device; possession is a felony. | HRS 134-8 | [2][3] |
| Idaho | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | No state restriction on owning or hunting with one. | Idaho Code 36-1101 | [2][3] |
| Illinois | No | No | Banned | Possession is a crime and the Wildlife Code bans hunting with one. | 720 ILCS 5/24-1(a)(6) | [2][3] |
| Indiana | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Ban repealed 2013; trespassing while carrying one is an added offense. | IC 14-22-38-4.5 | [2][3] |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Possession in violation of federal law is a felony. | Iowa Code 724.1B | [2][3] |
| Kansas | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Statute expressly allows hunting and furharvesting with one. | K.S.A. 32-1002(c)(4) | [2][3] |
| Kentucky | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Any game with a hunting license and federal approval. | KDFWR Hunting & Trapping Guide 2026–27 | [2][3] |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Allowed for game and outlaw quadrupeds; barred 5 years after certain violations. | La. R.S. 56:116.6 | [2][3] |
| Maine | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Hunting ban repealed 2021; some violations while carrying one cost the license for 3 years. | 12 M.R.S. 11214 | [2][3] |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | No state law restricts owning or hunting with one (per the hunting source). | MD Guide to Hunting & Trapping 2026–27 | [2][3] |
| Massachusetts | No | No | Banned | Civilian possession is a felony; narrow exceptions for some FFLs and law enforcement. | M.G.L. c. 269, § 10A | [2][3] |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Hunting allowed since 2016; possession is a felony without federal registration. | MCL 750.224 | [2][3] |
| Minnesota | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Hunting allowed since 2015; some violations while carrying one cost 5 years of hunting. | Minn. Stat. 97A.421 | [2][3] |
| Mississippi | Yes | Yes | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Possession legal only with federal authorization. | Miss. Code 97-37-31 | [2][3] |
| Missouri | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Possession is an offense only in violation of federal law. | RSMo 571.020 | [2][3] |
| Montana | Yes | Yes | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Hunting allowed if federally registered. | MCA 87-6-401 | [2][3] |
| Nebraska | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | No state law restricts owning or hunting with one. | Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-1203 | [2][3] |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Possession needs federal authorization, and you must be able to prove it. | NRS 202.350 | [2][3] |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Hunting ban repealed 2016. | RSA 207:4 (repealed) | [2][3] |
| New Jersey | No | No | Banned | Possession is a crime, even with federal approval. | N.J. criminal code; NJ Hunting & Trapping Digest | [2][3] |
| New Mexico | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | No state law restricts owning or hunting with one. | 19.31.10 NMAC | [2][3] |
| New York | No | No | Banned | Possession is a felony, even with federal approval. | N.Y. Penal Law 265.02 | [2][3] |
| North Carolina | Yes | Yes | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Statute carves registered suppressors out of the hunting ban. | N.C.G.S. 113-291.1 | [2][3] |
| North Dakota | Yes | Yes | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Statute allows it for any game you are licensed to hunt. | NDCC 20.1-01-36 | [2][3] |
| Ohio | Yes | Yes | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Statute allows hunting with one with a hunting license. | Ohio Rev. Code 1533.04 | [2][3] |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Game animals and birds, public and private land, if federally registered. | ODWC General Hunting Regulations | [2][3] |
| Oregon | Yes | Yes | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Possession is a felony unless registered; carry the papers. | ORS 166.272 | [2][3] |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Hunting allowed since 2017; possession legal only with NFA compliance. | 34 Pa.C.S. 2308 | [2][3] |
| Rhode Island | No | No | Banned | Possession carries a mandatory prison term; narrow law-enforcement exceptions. | R.I. Gen. Laws 11-47-20 | [2][3] |
| South Carolina | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | No state law restricts owning or hunting with one. | S.C. Code Title 50, Ch. 11 | [2][3] |
| South Dakota | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | State law says a silencer is not a controlled weapon. | SDCL 22-1-2(8) | [2][3] |
| Tennessee | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Carry proof of federal approval while hunting. | TWRA Manner and Means | [2][3] |
| Texas | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | TPWD: may be used to take any wildlife resource. | TPWD Outdoor Annual; Tex. Gov't Code 2.052 | [2][3] |
| Utah | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | No state law restricts owning or hunting with one. | Utah Admin. Code R657-5-7 | [2][3] |
| Vermont | Yes | Game species only | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Allowed only while "taking game" (deer, bear, moose, turkey); not coyotes or other furbearers. | 10 V.S.A. 4701(d) | [2][3] |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | State silencer law repealed in 2009. Ammo.com notes 2026 legislation that could change this; check current law. | Va. Code 18.2-308.6 (repealed) | [2][3] |
| Washington | Yes | Yes | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Legal if registered and possessed under federal law. | RCW 9.41.250 | [2][3] |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | No state law restricts owning or hunting with one. | W. Va. Code 20-2-5 | [2][3] |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Yes | State law: Form 4 process still runs | Possession is a felony without federal registration. | Wis. Stat. 941.298 | [2][3] |
| Wyoming | Yes | Yes | No state NFA step: dealer background check | Barred only while committing certain big-game violations. | W.S. 23-3-112 | [2][3] |
No states match this filter.
Try removing a filter or raising the max price.
Washington, D.C. bans suppressors, per Silencer Shop[1]; our two state sources do not cover D.C. or U.S. territories. Federal law applies everywhere; see how buying a suppressor works and current eForm 4 wait times. This is a summary, not legal advice.
Sources
- The NFA Registration Is Gone: Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF (updated Oct 9, 2026; includes Aug 13 state-by-state list) — Silencer Shop Foundation (a plaintiff in the case), dated 2026-10-09. Accessed 2026-11-06.
- Suppressor hunting laws by state (last checked Oct 1, 2026) — CoyoteHunting101, dated 2026-10-01. Accessed 2026-11-06.
- Where Are Silencers Illegal? State Suppressor Laws in 2026 (last updated Apr 27, 2026) — Ammo.com, dated 2026-04-27. Accessed 2026-11-06.
- American Suppressor Association via NASGW: "15 Years. Countless Victories." (legal to own in 42 states, hunt in 41) — NASGW, dated 2026-09-29. Accessed 2026-11-06.
- ATF Open Letter to all FFLs and the public on NFA making and transfer requirements, Oct 9, 2026 — ATF, dated 2026-10-09. Accessed 2026-11-06.
- ATF: Update to NFA Transfer Guidance (open letter summary and FAQ; last updated Oct 16, 2026) — ATF, dated 2026-10-16. Accessed 2026-11-06.