Firearm sound suppressors, often colloquially called “silencers,” command a significantly higher price point compared to many other firearm accessories. This elevated cost stems from a confluence of factors including stringent regulatory oversight, complex manufacturing processes, and limited market competition.
The regulation of suppressors under the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 necessitates extensive background checks, registration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the payment of a $200 transfer tax. This regulatory burden not only increases the initial purchase price but also adds considerable processing time, often several months or even years. Historically, the NFA was enacted to control certain classes of firearms deemed particularly susceptible to use in criminal activity, placing suppressors in the same category as machine guns and short-barreled rifles.
