Suppressors - Federal Law?

Question

I know that detachable suppressors are federally regulated. Licensing, $200 tax stamp, etc.

However, my question is if fixed suppressors are also federally regulated?

Thanks.

Answer 1

You first answer is impressive in itself. It is exactly correct especially in the fact that each baffle can be considered a seperate silencer or possession of such.

And an answer from a women no less.

Answer 2

Yes.  Silencers are some of the most heavily regulated items in the National Firearms Act.  For example, each baffle inside a silencer, if removed from the tube, is considered a silencer in and of itself.

The act defines a suppressor as; "Any device for silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of a portable firearm, including any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for the use in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, and any part intended only for use in such assembly or fabrication."    So, in other words, it doesn't matter if the firearm is fabricated (fixed) or assembled (detachable), or even if the device is manufactured for that purpose.  If you're using it to silence the report of a firearm, it's a silencer, even if you made it yourself.

Precedent has only excluded non-portable silencing devices from these regulations.  You know, those big barrels of water or sand they fire into to retrieve spent bullets for ballistics testing.  Those are usually bolted to the floor.