ar15 supressor question

[shmulysimon]

A friend of mine recently approached me with building a supressor for an ar-15. He brought over a book, "how to build military grade supressors". It basically describes how to build your own supressor mostly from supplies that you can buy from home depot (steel fence pole, washers, etc.) and how to assemble it. My questions basically go as follow:
-In this state (ca) is it legal to own a supressor? I know you can't buy one or import one, but what about it you built your own?

If you have any input on this question, it would be greatly appreciated. Another plus is if you know the laws that can be cited, etc.

Thanks guys!!

[JKMIII]

in before the lock...

[Jeepers]

to answer the question a mere mortal in CA can not own or possess or make a suppressor in CA..... and dont think a AR will cycle with subsonic ammo so a suppressor wont be like on tv

[kurac]

Its been a while since I looked at the CA penal code but I believe its a minimum three year sentence, not to mention Federal charges.

[MontClaire]

In CA you are out of luck.

[JAE]

There's a forum for that: http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/

[TurboChrisB]

Building your own suppressor in CA is aprox the same on the "illegal meter" as converting your AR to full auto. NOT recommended.

[Capybara]

Unless you are a manufacturer (FFL07/SOT02) who sells to governmental agencies or an armorer for Hollywood with a Dangerous Weapons Permit, you will never legally own a suppressor in the state of California.

[Gunsmith Dan]

AND even if it wasn't illegal in CA there is no "personal manufacturing" exemption for Suppressors like with semi auto firearm receiver/frame. All fully auto small arms and silencers (Federal Term not mine) must be serialized, the owner cleared by NICS and tax stamp paid no matter who or how it is manufactured or what the state law is regarding them.

[855R]

Knowledge is not necessarily illegal, but sometimes acting on it is. I'd be careful about getting all those parts together also. I've heard of an "intent of use" getting people in hot water(not sure if true could just be a scare tactic though)

[Nathan Krynn]

Even if it were legal in CA, you would still need to apply with the NFA branch with a form 1 for a tax stamp. Then wait for it to get mailed to you before you made it.

[killmime1234]

Knowledge is not necessarily illegal, but sometimes acting on it is. I'd be careful about getting all those parts together also. I've heard of an "intent of use" getting people in hot water(not sure if true could just be a scare tactic though)

This is referred to as "constructive possession." Constructive possession exists for both CA's Silencer law as well as the Federal Silencer law. Steer clear of suppressors in CA unless you're an FFL with an SOT and a CA Dangerous Weapons Permit.