Sound suppressors for firearms, commonly but incorrectly called silencers, have been around for over a hundred years. Long victimized by Hollywood as something only an assassin, spy, or commando would use, it’s not a commonly known fact that thousands of these legal devices are owned by ordinary sportsmen who use them in dozens of states to play. One of these states is Mississippi.

why

There are many valid reasons why some Mississippi hunters turn to suppressors to capture both game and nuisance animals. Suppressors obviously protect hearing and allow the athlete to hunt without the aid of in-ear or over-the-ear hearing protection. Since the ears are free, this increases situational awareness and makes the hunter more confident and alert.

Since suppressors can eliminate up to 30% of a firearm’s recoil, they improve accuracy and make follow-up shots easier if needed. Finally, gunshot suppression is kinder to the local community and helps preserve the tranquility of the great outdoors.

A typical suppressor will drop around 20dB of muzzle blast sound and, when combined with subsonic ammunition, is extremely effective. Even if subsonic rounds aren’t available, the device’s sound suppression alone is still dramatic.

What’s out there?

Suppressors come in two basic types: detachable ‘cans’ that screw into the screw-in crowns in the muzzle at the end of the barrel, and integral built-in varieties that are designed around the gun. Either type is made for most caliber rifles and pistols. While almost any caliber can be suppressed, the most popular and cheapest are the .22LR. The nearly indestructible TAC-65 made by Tactical Innovation costs around $250 and can be used in pistols or rifles chambered for .22LR, producing airgun levels of sound. These make squirrel and rabbit takers absolutely evil. Liberty Leonidas makes a .300 Blackout top with integral suppression that is ideal for hunting wild hogs, coyotes, and even whitetails at range. Gemtech, AWC, YHM, and Shark are other well-known manufacturers that make both types of suppressors in everything from .22 to .300 Win Mag.

Is it legit?

In a word, yes*. Factory-made suppressors were readily available and widely used in this country from the late 19th century through the 1930s. They can be purchased over the counter and through the mail until declared regulated under the National Firearms Act of 1934. This is where the asterisk

come in at

About a dozen states (CA, MA, Ill, et al) prohibit their residents from possessing legal and federally registered/regulated suppressants. About a dozen others allow ownership but have laws in place that prohibit their use in hunting. Mississippi, fortunately, is one of more than 20 states that allows the possession of NFA-compliant suppressors and grants their use in hunting all legal game in season. MS Sportsman verified this through communication with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fish and Parks.

By the way, if you’re curious about neighboring states: Alabama, Tennessee, and Louisiana allow the possession of registered suppressors. Louisiana allows the taking of only “non-game nuisance” animals, while Alabama prohibits all hunting with a suppressor. Tennessee laws are much the same as Mississippi, where all game animals are legal.

The use of suppressants is increasing across the country. Some 22,265 legal suppressors were sold in 2010 alone, 348 of them in Mississippi.

How do you get one?

Legal suppressors are great, but you have to jump through a couple of hoops to get them. First of all, don’t rush and make your own or buy one from a guy who knows a guy. Do it the right way. Find a Class III FFL holder near you. There are several of them located throughout the state from Oxford to Ocean Springs. They are licensed to buy and sell NFA regulated firearms and silencers. Once you do, they can take care of the purchase and transfer to you of a legal suppressor. They can guide you through filling out your BATFE Form 4, which is a multi-page application that includes a set of fingerprints, a passport photo, and a signature from your local police chief (who is normally quite sympathetic). Then send all this with a check for a $200 tax stamp from Uncle Sam and in about two months you can come and pick up your new bug catcher.

Once it’s yours, it’s a guardian that even under current law belongs to you forever.

It gives a whole new meaning to the term deer whisperer.