Are Gun Silencers Legal In North Dakota?

If you are new to gun-toting, you might have wondered whether or not suppressors/silencers are legal in North Dakota. Here are some things to consider.

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Are Silencers/Suppressors Legal in North Dakota?

In short, yes. Highly controlled suppressors are legal in North Dakota, according to gunrightsattorney.com.

The ATF classifies silencers and suppressors as Class 3 firearms in North Dakota.

An individual is allowed to use a silencer for the following purposes:

Hunting

Home Defense

Hearing Protection

Business Defense

Target Shooting

Any Other Legal Use Authorized by North Dakota Law

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I spoke to a manager at our local H&H Guns in Bismarck for clarification; he also told me silencers are legal and that there are several types and calibers for silencers. Rifles, pistols, shotguns -- you can get a silencer for any of these weapons/devices.

The Process

Once you find an authorized NFA dealer in North Dakota, you must fill out a "Form 4." That form gets sent to the ATF for approval.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is a federal agency that administers and enforces criminal and regulatory provisions of federal laws pertaining to destructive devices. This according to its website.

According to gunrightsattorneys.com, the approval process can take several months. Once approved, you are to receive a "Tax stamp."

Buying a Suppressor

The source also explains that to purchase a suppressor, you must have two copies of the ATF Form 4 for the ATF, $200 paid to the ATF, an FBI Form FD-258s, passport photos, and if you are purchasing as a trust, you must also have ATF form 5320.23.