There is no federal license required to own a suppressor. Suppressors are regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA), which requires buyers to pass a background check, pay a $200 transfer tax and register the suppressor with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). However, states have their laws regulating suppressors, so it’s important to check with your local authorities to find out if there are any additional requirements or restrictions in place.
No, you don’t need a suppressor license for each gun. Suppressors are classified as Title II firearms, and as such, they fall under the National Firearms Act (NFA). The regulations governing NFA firearms are found in Title 27 of the United States Code (USC), and they are administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE).
To possess a suppressor, you must first complete an ATF Form 4 and submit it to BATFE along with a $200 tax stamp. Once your Form 4 is approved, you can then legally possess the suppressor. If you want to transfer a suppressor to someone else, you must complete an ATF Form 5 and submit it to BATFE along with a $200 tax stamp.
You can find more information about the process of purchasing and transferring suppressors in our article How to Buy a Gun Silencer.
There is no national suppressor licensing requirement in the United States. Some states do have their requirements, so you would need to check with your local authorities. In most cases, a simple permit or registration process is all that is required. There is also a federal registration process for suppressors, but it is not mandatory in all states.