7 replies to this topic

[jrbill2006]

This is an exert from the APG e-zine edited by Dave Norman

this seemed really improtant since it could posibly deal with us

SILENCERS Or sound suppressors for paintball markers are considered
"firearm silencers" by the federal BATF, and by the laws of various
states. Illegal possession of such a device is a felony, with the
penalty being quite a few years in a federal pen. If the device will
lower the sound (noise level) of a firearm even one (1) decibel, it
can be classified as a silencer under federal law. Consult your local
attorney for further information about the federal and state laws
regarding silencers.

[neonerfer]

So a paintball barrel with a built in "silencer" is illegal? By silence I just mean a series of spiraling holes towards the front of the barrel. I assume these barrels are quieter than a standard barrel. The only silencers that I have seen have been integrated into a barrel, so would that be considered a device that lowers the sound produced by a firearm? I think that if a silencer can be used on a real gun and a paintball gun, it's illegal. I don't think we'll have any problem with integrated silencers.

[cxwq]

The letters linked to on this page are more informative. They're the result of an attempt to clarify the legality of a PB suppressor with the BATF.

United States v. Drasen, supra; United States v. Endicott, 803 F.2d 506, 508-509 (CA9 1986) found that an ``unassembled'' silencer is still a silencer. If it can be placed on a firearm and reduces the sound pressure caused by the firearm, you could get in serious trouble.

That said, any silencer which is permanently attached to the Nerf gun would clearly not fall under this legal definition.

Edit: Wrote this at the same time as Neo... basically what he said

[Zero Talent]

United States v. Drasen, supra; United States v. Endicott, 803 F.2d 506, 508-509 (CA9 1986) found that an ``unassembled'' silencer is still a silencer. If it can be placed on a firearm and reduces the sound pressure caused by the firearm, you could get in serious trouble.

So they're saying it's illegal to possess PVC piping and toilet paper at the same time?

[cxwq]

So they're saying it's illegal to possess PVC piping and toilet paper at the same time?

I don't think anyone would take it that far.

The ruling was against firearm silencer kits. So coupling the ruling and the interpretation regarding firearm applicability, it would be illegal to sell/posess two diameters of PVC, one drilled out and sized to allow mounting on a nerf gun, with spacing rings and some type of acoustic deadener.

Having the parts necessary to manufacture something is different from having parts pre-machined to allow easy assembly.

[Formerly Sane]

I guess I'm going to jail.

[dragon26]

Crap, I know this is old but....

So does this mean that you can't have a silencer for your paintball gun?

[merlinski]

Crap, I know this is old but....

So does this mean that you can't have a silencer for your paintball gun?

Yes it does.

"SILENCERS Or sound suppressors for paintball markers are considered
"firearm silencers" by the federal BATF, and by the laws of various
states."