Elaboration on Def of silencer

[robbor]

I know the normal,"Any device that reduces the sound level by 1 bd".
But it seems there has to be more to it than that, because blooptubes
are legal and even more so the metro barrel is legal. Im wondering if there is
a lesser know stipulation that may be used such as an enclosed chamber , or baffles and wiper or something???

[redcliff]

I have no idea why they're legal, and technically they probably aren't. I found this doing a web search:

"The new devices look like muzzle brakes, but they are not. They do not reduce recoil. They merely shield the shooter from some of the noise. Longer and larger in diameter will of course be more efficient. There are some in the enforcement business at BATF who will look upon these as silencers, and that is starting to cause a problem as word comes down to hassle gun owners wherever possible. With the change in administration this policy may diminish, or it may not. Firing a .223 or .300 Winchester Magnum rifle equipped with one of these devices in a courtroom should remove all doubt as to the efficiency of these as effective silencers. BATF has long held that any device that decreases the sound level by as little as 2 dB should be considered a silencer. Two years ago we reported that BATF has not attempted to prosecute those who use bloop tubes. While it has been this way for 65 years, we now hear of a case in Memphis where an individual from California was charged. Apparently BATF officials across the country are now moving against any individuals who have bloop tubes on their target rifle or pistols. If you have one you are urged to take it off and cut off the attachment component. It doesn't matter what the material is made of, how it is attached, or how long an individual has used it. If it is mounted on a firearm and if it reduces the sound level significantly, the owner/user is at risk for prosecution. On a theoretical level this is mildly interesting. If it happens to you it can be incredibly expensive, harrowing and time-consuming. These people have no sense of humor, and will not hesitate to prosecute if it will make headlines. Believe me, you do not want your name in the paper, nor do you want a $20K legal bill, a $100K fine and ten years in the slammer. Remember, normal citizens are much easier to prosecute than criminals because they stand still. The word is now out that BATF will not hesitate to prosecute a high profile case in this area."

[robbor]

BATF

I can only guess that the company that developed the metro barrel either submitted it or plans and received confirmation in writing that it was legal.
This barrel was around for a while before hastings bought it. Espically if you receive it in writing from BATF how could they possibly prosecute you???
That would have to also go for the browning boss that has no ports, barrel tuners. I know there are also a few that have backbored barrels.
I know that different legal bodies such as ca doj will tell you things sound legal to them but will tell you that is not confirmation that it is legal.

[redcliff]

Just as a reminder, the Akin's Accelerator was submitted and approved by BATFE prior to commencing manufacturing, but was still hit with a cease and desist at a later date by BATFE and the units sold had to be disabled.

[rayra]

...Espically if you receive it in writing from BATF how could they possibly prosecute you???

CavARms in AZ can probably answer that for you. Or the manf of the Akins Accelerator.

[Mike's Custom]

I have never heard of a set # of db drop being a standard in the definition of a slincer. THe ATF defines a Muffler or Silencer as "Any device for silencing, muffling or diminishing the report of a portable firearm". Having relatives in the BATFE for over 30 years (Combined over 60) I have heard that they consider any devise that alters the report of a firearm may fall into this catagory. The DBs have nothing really to do with it if the sound itself is altered. Add a "CAN" that makes the report louder but makes it sound like a TUBA or JET engine and you can get into trouble with the BATFE.

Now, if we can just get a "silencer" to sound like a politician talking nobody would pay attention...

[AJAX22]

I have never heard of a set # of db drop being a standard in the definition of a slincer. THe ATF defines a Muffler or Silencer as "Any device for silencing, muffling or diminishing the report of a portable firearm". Having relatives in the BATFE for over 30 years (Combined over 60) I have heard that they consider any devise that alters the report of a firearm may fall into this catagory. The DBs have nothing really to do with it if the sound itself is altered. Add a "CAN" that makes the report louder but makes it sound like a TUBA or JET engine and you can get into trouble with the BATFE.

Now, if we can just get a "silencer" to sound like a politician talking nobody would pay attention...

The official deff is that it lowers it 1db for one round

[trinydex]

where is the db measured?

[AJAX22]

There is no defined procedure for measuring the db level.

There is no defined procedure for testing to determine if a firearm is a machinegun

the BATFE deliberatly leaves such areas as gray as possible.

[bohoki]

wow one decibel

you know that one more inch of barrel in a 22 can reduce 120 decibels to 119

[trinydex]

that's what i was thinking, once you start sayin' ridiculous stuff with no bounds you can call a long bull barrel a fixed supressed barrel :\

[Mike's Custom]

The official deff is that it lowers it 1db for one round

http://www.atf.gov/alcohol/info/revr...ling2005-4.pdf

As I stated in my previous post, BATFE considers anything that alters the report of a firearm to be in violation. The intent of a muffler or silencer is to disguise the report of a firearm. If there is a BATFE reg. or def. that includes "1bd reduction" please post a link to that portion. Having 2 BATFE agents in the family I have received a lot of information on what they know and prosecute. One of the agents was agent in charge of Bakersfield and Fresno offices and both are now retired. In talking to them they had never heard of a 1 db reduction for prosecution. He kind of laughed saying that wind direction could cause that much of a db reduction alone.

[trinydex]

so you'd just have to argue that the bull barrel of lengthy dimension is not expressly designed to muffle the report of the round fired.

[N_S]

A longer-barreled gun is typically quieter than a short-barreled one.
Does that mean that anything that complies with the SBR rule is "silenced"?