Suppressor legality? (Connecticut)

[Reflex0283]

I'm in the middle of designing a paintball suppressor to be 3D printed, but I'm now not sure if it's legal or not. Is anyone familiar with laws around suppressors? thanks

[Ecapnation]

To sell.... Illegal.

To mess around with for yourself.... Probably ok

[JonM]

Speaking as someone who has toyed around with 3D printed raincovers, it's really not worth it. You're far better off just getting a nice quiet ported barrel and not dealing with any possible ATF nonsense.

[redsquirrel]

If it isn’t going on a firearm, why would it even matter? Would be surprised if there are laws against suppressors or suppressor lookalikes on non-firearms.

[Reflex0283]

I didn't think it would matter that much but I guess it does...

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/are-...ed-nfa-weapons

[Chuck E Ducky]

As long as it can’t be attached to a real firearm you are good. Air rifles come from the factory with suppressors. There is an interesting law fair going on with the ATF and Tax stamp. It’s still a way out but I don’t think the ATF is going to win this one. You might just see them become legal to own even for Firearms in the near future.

[Buff_phroggie]

The air rifle ones are because they are technically not a firearm baised on defination

[Trbo323]

If it isn’t going on a firearm, why would it even matter? Would be surprised if there are laws against suppressors or suppressor lookalikes on non-firearms.

There are, I don't remember the exact wording but it's something like if a suppressor can be modified to work on a firearm it's illegal. This is why all the paintball suppressors that started being made in the late 80s got pulled from production in a hurry. You could conceivably use a thread adaptor or hose clamp in some cases to get them onto a firearm. This is also why there are a handful of firearms with built in suppressors that are legal. And the air rifles with them built in,They are built into the frame of the firearm so you can't remove them and attach them to another firearm. I can't remember for sure but you might need your FFL to own those. I'm pretty sure you need a FFL to get suppressors at all, you can own them there's just a lot of hoops to jump through

[redsquirrel]

Well count me surprised then.

[Grendel]

There have been a few attempts to get this clarified by the ATF in relation to paintball. In typical fashion, the official word from the ATF flipped-flopped a few times, always with the caveat that they reserved the right to address on a case-by-case basis. Given this, steer clear of them and any other euphemisms you may think of; it is not worth the risk.

[Daltech]

I made a bunch in 8th grade and learned quickly that they do not work. Feel free to try. If you think about it, Suppressed firearms (145dB) is reduced to are far from silent, and much louder than my DYE boomstick (105 dB) to start with. So what I’m saying is the paintball suppressor is louder than the ported barrel to start with. For reference, an unsuppressed AR-15 is 170dB. See? Physics? Any questions?

Edit- Having used integrally suppressed air rifles, I will tell you with absolute certainty that it was significantly louder than my dye/freak barrel.

[Reflex0283]

I don't see how a suppressed rifle firing a bullet with 55,000psi behind it can be compared to a paintball marker without a suppressor. In both cases, a suppressor should, in theory, reduce the noise. Additionally, suppressed subsonic .22LR pistols can get down below 90db, so it's definitely possible to make a paintball marker quieter.

Unfortunately, this still doesn't change the legality of the whole thing ):

[The Inflicted]

Did any of the recent statutory changes effect this?

[Glovebox Operator]

Only the $200 tax stamp is going away.   You'll still need to set up a trust, send in your fingerprints and go through the FBI back ground check to be able to buy suppressor.  After that you can get all the suppressor you want.

[Drunkscriblerian]

I used a "rain cover" on a Phantom build back in the 90s when no one cared about the legality. It did quiet my Phantom down (compared to the bull barrel it came with), turning a BWAP! into a pop that was directionally deceptive...folks could hear I was shooting but couldn't tell where I was. Combine that with a low profile 50 round hopper full of Pro-Ball black-shelled paint and you had a recipe for terror on the woodsball field.

However, that was then and this is now. Tech has definitely marched on.

If you wanted to achieve the same result I did, I'd say roll with a modern low-pressure HPA build and a ported barrel of reasonable length. Much quieter, and better yet no chance of needing to talk to the men in black suits who have no sense of humor.

ETA: Seriously. I currently own a Nova N-1 that is waaaaay quieter than my Phantom ever was, even with the "rain cover". If I was gonna try to relive my "sneaky-shooty" past, I'd definitely take that gun over my Phantom.

[Socalpumpballer]

You can buy suppressed air guns off the shelf even in California. If it doesn’t fit a real gun and can’t be readily attached to one then it’s pretty much a non issue.

[DocsMachine]

The unfortunate fact is that technically, all suppressors are not legal unless you've applied for and received your tax stamp.

The current situation we have it very much like that of pot: At a Federal level, weed is still illegal, the feds have simply declined to prosecute. And it doesn't matter if the state or city has legalized it- a couple of places have tried re-legalizing machine guns, and the Feds swooped in and said "oh, no you don't!"

The government could, at a whim, suddenly decide to start prosecuting for distribution and possession again- yes, it'd be a madhouse and political suicide to anyone who tried it... but the point is, it's 100% possible. No congressional okay, no executive order, no passing of a new law. Just "hey, this stuff's still illegal, start arresting people again!"

That's where suppressors are: For air guns, the ATF doesn't bother prosecuting- the common belief is that if they did, and they lost the case, that would open the floodgates towards getting all suppressors more or less legalized, and the ATF doesn't want to take that risk.

Those of you that have an old PVC one, or made your own 3D printed one? Probably nothing to worry about- though if I were you, I'd make damn sure a quick search couldn't find it if you got pulled over for some reason.

I'd also think twice about trying to sell them. Again, you're probably okay, but really, if some officious prick somewhere decides to mess with you, he can really ruin your day.

And for me, personally? I wouldn't touch one with a ten foot pole, and won't until the ATF makes an official, written change to the law, okaying them for airgun and paintball use. Some of you guys? What would they take, a $400 3D printer and a $500 chromebook? Me? They'd haul away every machine I have, confiscate all my electronics, and probably shoot my cat just to be sure.

Yeah, chances are good I'd get it all back after I won the case... after everything's been sitting out in the rain for 2-1/2 years, and I pay a $12,000 storage fee.

Doc.