Suppressors (also called silencers) are federally regulated under the National Firearms Act of 1934, but they are legal to own in 42 states — including South Carolina. The process is more involved than a standard firearm purchase, but it's manageable once you know what to expect.
What Is the NFA?
The National Firearms Act (NFA) is a federal law that regulates certain classes of firearms and devices — including suppressors, short-barrel rifles, machine guns, and destructive devices. To legally own an NFA item, you must register it with the ATF and pay a $200 tax stamp.
Step 1: Find a Suppressor
Browse NFA / Suppressor listings on Trigger Transfers Marketplace. All NFA listings come from licensed FFL/SOT dealers who can legally sell suppressors. You'll find brands from leading manufacturers across various calibers and use cases.
Step 2: Choose: Individual or Trust?
Before purchasing, decide whether you'll buy as an individual or through an NFA gun trust. A trust allows multiple trustees to legally possess the suppressor. Both options work; trusts are more complex to set up but offer estate planning and shared-use advantages.
Step 3: Complete ATF Form 4
The ATF Form 4 (Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm) is the core NFA transfer document. Individual buyers must also submit:
- Two FBI fingerprint cards
- Two passport-style photographs
- $200 tax stamp payment (by check or money order to ATF)
- CLEO notification (chief law enforcement officer — required notification, not approval)
Step 4: Wait for ATF Approval
After submitting Form 4, the ATF reviews your application. Current wait times (as of 2026) are approximately 6–12 months for paper Form 4 submissions. Electronic (eForm 4) submissions via the ATF's online portal can be significantly faster — often 3–6 months — when the system is running smoothly.
Your suppressor stays at the selling dealer's location during this entire wait period. You cannot take possession until ATF approval arrives.
Step 5: Tax Stamp Arrives — Pickup Time
When your Form 4 is approved, your approved copy and tax stamp will be sent to the transferring dealer. The dealer will contact you, and you can then take possession of your suppressor (after final transfer paperwork at your local FFL if it's being shipped).
Key Facts to Know
- You must be 21+ to purchase a suppressor from a dealer
- The $200 tax stamp fee goes to the ATF — it does not go to the seller or Trigger Transfers
- You must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Suppressors are legal in South Carolina for hunting and range use
- Once you have your tax stamp, carry a copy whenever you use the suppressor
- Transferring a suppressor to another person requires a new Form 4 and tax stamp
Is It Worth It?
For many shooters, yes. Suppressors protect hearing, reduce noise complaints at outdoor ranges, and make hunting more comfortable. The wait is frustrating, but the approval process is well-established and the suppressor hobby community is large and supportive.