Where Are Silencers Illegal? State Suppressor Laws in 2026

Ammodotcom · April 29, 2026, 7:27am

Report Highlights: Federal and state laws govern the manufacture, possession, and transfer of firearm suppressors (colloquially referred to as “silencers”). State laws vary.

Suppressors are illegal in eight states: California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
Suppressors are legal in 21 states if they comply with ATF regulations.
Nineteen states have no standalone statutes regarding possession of suppressors, but federal laws still apply.

Related Studies: Most Gun-Friendly States, Worst States to Be a Gun Owner, Banned Guns & Restricted Guns & Ammo List

Disclaimer: We are not attorneys. We are not qualified to give legal advice. An attorney did not review this article. No information presented on Ammo.com is intended to be construed as legal advice.

Federal Suppressor Laws and the NFA

Federal law sets the groundwork for laws across the nation, and suppressors are heavily regulated by the federal government.

Federal statute defines “firearm silencer” (aka “firearm muffler”) in 18 U.S.C. § 921. The National Firearms Act classifies silencers as firearms (and therefore subject to regulation) under 26 U.S.C. § 5845.^{1, 2}

Although not illegal, suppressors must be registered. The ATF must approve their sale or manufacture, and purchasers must undergo a more intensive purchasing process (including fingerprinting) with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Where Are Silencers Illegal in the U.S.?

Suppressors, colloquially referred to as “silencers,” must be registered with the ATF to become legal in any U.S. state. Some states restrict possession of suppressors, even with a tax stamp.

Alabama

Alabama does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Federal laws apply.³

Alaska

Alaska does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Federal laws apply.⁴

Arizona

Arizona does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Federal laws apply. ⁵

Arkansas

Arkansas does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Federal laws apply .⁶

California (Banned)

The manufacture, possession, and/or transfer of firearm suppressors is illegal in California, even with an NFA tax stam p.⁷

Colorado

Suppressors are technically prohibited under state law, but are allowed in practice if acquired legally under the N FA.⁸

Connecticut

Possession of suppressors is prohibited in Connecticut unless the possessor has acquired them legally under the NFA. Suppressors are prohibited for hunt ing.⁹

Delaware (Banned)

The manufacture, possession, manufacture, transfer, and/or receipt of firearm suppressors is illegal in Delaware, even with an NFA tax st amp.¹⁰

Florida

Florida does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Federal laws a pply.¹¹

Georgia

Georgia does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Federal laws apply.¹²

Hawaii (Banned)

Hawaii classifies firearm silencers as prohibited devices. They are banned in the state regardless of an NFA tax stamp.¹³

Idaho

Idaho does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Federal law s apply.¹⁴

Illinois (Banned)

Illinois has made it illegal to possess any device that “silences the report of a firearm.” Possession of a suppressor is illegal there, even with an NFA t ax stamp.¹⁵

Indiana

Indiana does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Federal l aws apply.¹⁶

Iowa

Suppressors are legal in Iowa as long as they’re in compliance with federal r egulations.¹⁷

Kansas

Suppressors are legal in Kansas as long as they’re in compliance with federal regulations.

Note: Legislation in March 2026 may remove state-level restrictions on suppressor s if passed.¹⁸

Kentucky

Kentucky does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Federa l laws apply.¹⁹

Louisiana

Suppressors are legal in Louisiana as long as they’re in compliance with federa l regulations.²⁰

Maine

Maine does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Fede ral laws apply.²¹

Maryland

Suppressors are legal in Maryland as long as they’re in compliance with fede ral regulations.²²

Massachusetts (Banned, With LEO Exceptions)

It is illegal for civilians to possess “any instrument, attachment, weapon or appliance for causing the firing of any gun, revolver, pistol or other firearm to be silent or intended to lessen or muffle the noise of the firing of any gun” in Massachusetts.

The state does offer exceptions to those holding some categories of Federal Firearms License (FFL), as well as to individuals working in an official law enfo rcement capacity.²³

Michigan

Suppressors are legal in Michigan as long as they’re in compliance with fe deral regulations.²⁴

Minnesota

Suppressors are legal in Minnesota as long as they’re in compliance with f ederal regulations.²⁵

Mississippi

Suppressors are legal in Mississippi as long as they’re in compliance with federal regulations.²⁶

Missouri

Suppressors are legal in Missouri as long as they’re in compliance with federal regulations.²⁷

Montana

Suppressors are legal in Montana as long as they’re in compliance wit h federal regulations.²⁸

Nebraska

Nebraska does not restrict the possession of suppresso rs. Federal laws apply.²⁹

Nevada

Suppressors are legal in Nevada as long as they’re in compliance w ith federal regulations.³⁰

New Hampshire

New Hampshire does not restrict the possession of suppres sors. Federal laws apply.³¹

New Jersey (Banned)

New Jersey has made it illegal for any person to possess “any instrument, attachment, weapon or appliance for causing the firing of any gun, revolver, pistol or other firearm to be silent, or intended to lessen or muffle the noise of the firing of any gun, revolver, pistol or other firearm.” Suppressors aren’t legal in New Jersey, e ven with an NFA tax stamp.³²

New Mexico

New Mexico does not restrict the possession of suppr essors. Federal laws apply.³³

New York (Banned)

The manufacture, possession, manufacture and/or transfer of firearm suppressors is illegal in New York, even with an NFA tax stamp.³⁴

North Carolina

Suppressors are legal in North Carolina as long as they’re in complia nce with federal regulations.³⁵

North Dakota

Suppressors are legal in North Dakota as long as they’re in compli ance with federal regulations.³⁶

Ohio

Suppressors are legal in Ohio as long as they’re in compl iance with federal regulations.³⁷

Oklahoma

Oklahoma does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Federal laws apply.³⁸

Oregon

Suppressors are legal in Oregon as long as they’re in com pliance with federal regulations.³⁹

Pennsylvania

Suppressors are legal in Pennsylvania as long as they’re in co mpliance with federal regulations.⁴⁰

Rhode Island (Banned, With LEO Exceptions)

The manufacture, possession, manufacture and/or transfer of firearm suppressors is illegal in Rhode Island, even with an NFA tax stamp. Some exceptions exist for law enforcement office rs working in an official capacity.⁴¹

South Carolina

South Carolina does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Federal laws apply.⁴²

South Dakota

Suppressors are legal in South Dakota as long as they’re in compliance with federal regulations.⁴³

Tennessee

Suppressors are legal in Tennessee as long as they’re i n compliance with federal regulations.⁴⁴

Texas

Suppressors are legal in Texas as long as they’re in compliance with federal regulations. Texas also has a law that states suppressors manufactured in the state and never leave the state, are not subject to federal NFA regulations.⁴⁵

Utah

Utah does not restrict the posses sion of suppressors. Federal laws apply.⁴⁶

Vermont

Suppressors are legal in Vermont as long as they’re acquire d in compliance with federal regulations.⁴⁷

Virginia

Virginia does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Federal laws apply.

Note: Legislation introduced in early 2026 may change the legality of suppressors in Virginia. Check cu rrent laws before purchasing a suppressor.⁴⁸

Washington

Suppressors are legal in Washington as long as they’re acqui red in compliance with federal regulations.⁴⁹

West Virginia

West Virginia does not restrict the po ssession of suppressors. Federal laws apply.⁵⁰

Wisconsin

Suppressors are legal in Wisconsin as long as th ey’re in compliance with federal regulations.⁵¹

Wyoming

Wyoming does not restrict the possession of suppressors. Federal laws apply.⁵²

Continue reading Where Are Silencers Illegal? State Suppressor Laws in 2026 on Ammo.com

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Kilroy · April 29, 2026, 7:27am

The image shows a color-coded U.S.

map and state list breaking suppressor laws into banned, banned with exceptions, legal with NFA compliance, legal with state-level restrictions, and no state laws. This account isn’t eligible for live retrieval right now; paid active tier access is required for that.

Provisional answer: the graphic says silencers are banned in California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey, with Massachusetts and Rhode Island listed as banned with LEO/FFL exceptions. It also shows a separate “legal” category for Colorado and Connecticut, and a larger “no state laws” group.

I’d still treat this as a quick reference rather than legal advice, because suppressor law can change and federal NFA rules still apply. If you want, I can help you turn this into a cleaner state-by-state text list for the forum.

sixguns.com membership unlocks deeper AI help, library access, and community perks.

Kilroy was here

Devereaux · October 4, 2026, 2:13am

Besides, travelling with a suppressor, even with tax stamp can get you in trouble with the ATF if you leave your home state without notifying them. More BS & gunsmoke!

Kilroy · October 4, 2026, 2:13am

That’s the part that’s wrong. A suppressor generally does not require prior ATF notification or a Form 5320.20 to cross state lines; that transport approval applies to certain NFA firearms, not suppressors.

The owner still has to comply with the laws of the destination and any states crossed. A tax stamp proves federal registration—it does not make a suppressor legal everywhere.

Kilroy was here

Devereaux · October 4, 2026, 2:16am

?Is that part of the ruling striking down the ATF tax on cans and SBR’s. ‘Cuz I believe it was a requirement before.

Kilroy · October 4, 2026, 2:16am

No—that distinction predates any ruling about the NFA tax. The Form 5320.20 requirement applies to interstate transport of registered machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and destructive devices; it generally does not apply to suppressors.

If the ruling you mean eliminated the federal transfer tax on suppressors or SBRs, that would affect the tax/transfer process—not change the separate transport rule. SBR travel still requires the approved 5320.20, and state law can impose additional restrictions.

Kilroy was here

Devereaux · October 4, 2026, 2:18am

But within your home state you can move about without any forms, ?right.

Kilroy · October 4, 2026, 2:18am

Generally, yes. Moving a legally possessed suppressor around within your home state does not require a federal transport form or prior ATF notification.

The important qualifier is that state law still controls possession, use, and transport. If you’re also moving an SBR, the Form 5320.20 requirement is for interstate travel—not ordinary travel within the same state.

Kilroy was here

shooterrex · October 4, 2026, 5:20am

Suppressors don’t require telling the ATF to travel with them . Short barrel rifles and shotguns and machine guns you do.

Belt-Fed · October 4, 2026, 11:22am

Better carry your approved papers when travelling around in your state. i have been checked three or four times with machine guns, never with an SBR or suppressor. but someone always called the cops shooting the machine guns. i am really surprised they haven’t with the FRT’s.

Devereaux · October 4, 2026, 3:43pm

Excellent point! I normally travel with a copy of all my tax stamps so that no matter what I happen to have I can find the appropriate ATF paperwork. All it takes is printing off the front page of each one and then keeping them as a collection in your gun bag. I have never been asked for it I know but still.

Belt-Fed · October 4, 2026, 4:36pm

I’ve had glocks pointed at me and pat down search with my hands on a cop car. had guns pointed at me a few times. Been cuffed while they check my paperwork once. if i had no paperwork i would have went to jail. Had my truck searched. some cops are assholes. some not so bad. shoulda sued all of them.

Devereaux · October 4, 2026, 4:51pm

Unfortunately, suing them would probably have been a loss. Yes a lot of cops can be jerks; some cops, however, are good guys, maybe even most to tough life. Scotus has recently handed down Rawlings that say the presence of a firearm is not probable cause for search. But tell that to the cops.

Kilroy · October 4, 2026, 4:51pm

The legal rule and the street-level reality are two different animals. Even if Rawlings says a firearm’s mere presence is not probable cause by itself, officers can still point to the totality of the circumstances—location, behavior, matching a report, suspected crime, or other specific facts.

The important distinction is that “there’s a gun” cannot be the whole justification. If it is, the search is vulnerable; whether suing is worthwhile is another matter entirely, given qualified immunity, evidence problems, and the cost of litigation.

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