Suppressor Bill Update

[Todd_ID]

Looks like our Governor is prepared to make a decision one way or another on the suppressor bill.  I'm guessing it'll be a simple rubber stamp yes, but you never know.  She has it on the docket for 2pm April 11.  Might be time to print and fill out a Form 1 to start the process to be able to build a can for my AR-15!

http://www.governor.wa.gov/billaction/2011/20110407.pdf

[Drifterat]

I'm in the dark on this suppressor bill. If she signs "yes" will they be legal to use in Washington? If she does what if any kind of liscensing do I need to get one?

[KillBilly]

They will be legal after you obtain a Class 3 license and pay the $200.00 tax.

[carpsniperg2]

 

[KillBilly]

Here is some more detailed info posted by TODD_ID


 The $200 fee is not for a Class 3 license, though; it is a one-time fee for a single item with a serial number that amounts to a tax paid to the Commerce Dept. for the privilege of owning that suppressor or short-barreled rifle.  To obtain a suppressor you order and pay for it through a dealer who holds it until you are cleared to own it, fill out an ATF Form 4 with the specs of that particular suppressor, obtain permission from a Chief Law Enforcement Officer in your jurisdiction (county sheriff, city police chief, or county prosecutor) certifying that they know of no reason you should not own one, obtain fingerprint card from sheriff's office, and send all to ATF along with a $200 check.  3 to 6 months later your approval or disapproval is mailed to you in the form of a stamp showing that you paid the tax.  It's generally referred to as a $200 tax stamp, but that is the process to legally own a suppressor.

It's currently legal to own one in WA but not to shoot it in WA.  You can, however take it to another state that allows them (Idaho) and shoot them there.  My county sheriff (Asotin County) upon my first call said that he would not sign the Form 4 to allow ownership of a suppressor and that he hadn't signed any through his years of office, but, after a conversation that included the above info and a description of the pending bill as well as owning land in Idaho, he finally submitted that he might sign one as long as the bill was signed into law and the person applying checked out in his mind.  Sometimes intelligent debate can prevail!

[Craig]

I hope it does not pass because it might get real expensive for me.  I can't just get a new suppressor without a new AR to go with it.

That would be awesome to have a couple suppressors.

[AWS]

So what is the bennefit of this bill other than you can use something bigger than a 22 to poach with.

I've done alot of predator control work in the past and if you need quiet you go with a long barrel 22H or a light loaded 223.  Just can't see any benefit for a law abiding citizen, clue me in.

AWS

[Heredoggydoggy]

The guys I know who have suppressors have done the Trust paperwork.  No need to get permission from local law enforcement that way.  You just have to pass the federal background check when you apply for the tax stamp.  Plus, with the Trust, you can name beneficiaries to leave the supressor to in the event of your death.  Otherwise, it can't be legally passed on to anyone else once you die.

[satchel3006]

What are the benefits? Just because works for me and I want one when does need or benefit have anything to do with the shooting sports?

[ORCA_SIX]

How does the trust paperwork system work? Is that done at the dealer also or straight through the ATF?

[BlackRidge]

What are the benefits? Just because works for me and I want one when does need or benefit have anything to do with the shooting sports?

...I need to protect my hearing (thats enough for me)

I had no clue it went up to the Gov today, looks like I may have to celebrate some tonight!

The Trust-route is pretty simple. You're creating an entity to act as the owner of the class 3 item. Through it you can establish others who can use the item, as well as determine where it should go in the event of your demise (all important stuff).  I have my trust setup, and hopefully will begin using it veeeery soon

I may be mistaken, but once your Trust is notarized, you simply include that Trust info with the other ATF forms (and appropriate tax amount - $200 x number of suppressors being purchased) and wait the excrutiating 3+ months to hear back on when you can pick it up.  Ultimately, how the forms get sent out depends on where you buy your suppressor, and or if you are making one on a form1.

[ORCA_SIX]

I know that suppressors in the old days were initially used for hunters in urban environments, to save on hearing and also so farmers/game managers could cull herds without completely disrupting all the animals around. In Africa they are used quite a lot for culling.

[AWS]

There are almost no culling operations done by sport hunters, urban hunting is pretty much vorboten  for sport hunter(even if it's quiet your still firing a round that will travel very far) and a $1000. for every rifle of a different caliber I own in lew of a pair of $100 electronic ear muffs (realy good ones) still leaves most the advantages for the criminal element that I can see.  Still waiting for a better argument FOR.

AWS

[jeepasaurusrex]

Imagine this: A majority of users at a gun range are using suppressors. The idiots who move next to one and complain about the noise would no longer have any argument. 

[skynyr]

Imagine this: A majority of users at a gun range are using suppressors. The idiots who move next to one and complain about the noise would no longer have any argument. 

They don't even have an argument to begin with.
Who are these decibal monitors I keep hearing about and what business do they have at a gun range? Maybe they should take up golf or archery if they are that sensitive to things that go "BOOOM". I've never ran into one of these clowns but when/if I do I won't listen to any crap, the most they'll get out of me is a one finger salute.