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.
Jump to a state: Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming
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
https://ammo.com/research/are-silencers-illegal#do-states-require-permit