Hunting with Silencers in PA is Legal!

Posted on by Adam Kraut, Esq.

A number of individuals have inquired with our office whether it is legal to hunt with a silencer in PA. As silencers have become more popular, affordable and increasingly marketed to the hunting community, they are being utilized in the field by more people than ever. In Pennsylvania, it is legal to hunt while using a silencer.

silencer

In 2009, Chief Counsel Joshua Prince wrote to the Game Commission requesting confirmation that there are no prohibitions on hunting with silencers in PA. The Game Commission replied that it was legal to do so and suggested that individuals have a copy of their “license” for their silencer. A copy of that letter can be found here.

While the Game Commission itself spoke of a license, it is likely they meant a copy of your approved form from ATF. While researching the topic a bit further I stumbled across another letter that was issued by the Game Commission in January of this year.

Hunting with Silencer 2015

It seems in the years following Joshua’s original request, the Game Commission has taken to training their officers on the use and possession of silencers.

If you are a Pennsylvania resident and want to obtain a silencer but are unsure where to start, give us a call! We can help you form a Gun Trust to purchase your silencers. For more information on Gun Trusts you can read this blog article by Joshua Prince.

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Published by Adam Kraut, Esq.

Adam Kraut was born and raised in Chester County, PA. Active in scouting since kindergarten, Adam achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2004. After graduating high school, Adam attended SUNY Binghamton where he graduated in 2009 with a major in Political Science concentrating in politics and law. After taking a year away from academics, Adam attended Widener Law School at night while maintaining a day job and graduated in 2014. Adam is an avid firearms enthusiast, whose love for firearms began in Boy Scouts at Camp Horseshoe. Adam’s experience in the firearms industry as the general manager of a Federal Firearms Licensee, who is a Class 3 dealer, gives him a working knowledge of the challenges the industry, licensees and individuals face on a daily basis. Having worked with industry leaders, individual licensees and individuals both from behind the counter and in a legal context, Adam is in a unique position to give advice with insight others may not have. In addition to being active in the courtroom, Adam is politically active to ensure that the Second Amendment rights of future generations continue to be protected. He is the host of The Gun Collective‘s show, The Legal Brief, where he dispels the various legal myths and misinformation in the gun world. In his free time, Adam volunteers with his old Boy Scout troop, cranks out ammunition behind the reloading press, can be found at the range training, enjoys hiking through the woods and cares for his small pack of dogs.

3 thoughts on “Hunting with Silencers in PA is Legal!”

  1. Just one note; Never, EVER carry the original of your Form 1 or Form 4. If it gets seized and BATFE lost their paperwork on your silencer (Or any NFA item) you will go to Federal prison!!!
    Make a color copy (Or black and white if you are poor) of the Form 1 or 4 and carry that. If arrested your lawyer will present your Form 1 or 4 for you and the case will go away. For who to call in Pennsylvania see the header above and Google their number.

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    1. Correct, in case that wasn’t conveyed in the article, the original approved form stays at home somewhere safe. If you manage to lose it you can call the NFA Branch and get a certified copy, but it will not have a stamp affixed to it.

      I personally laminate copies of my form and toss them in each of my range bags. Others put them in small binders in their range bags. Hunting poses a bit of a different challenge as you aren’t toting around your range bag. A copy tucked in your gear will be just fine.

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