I’ve been looking at getting a suppressor (aka silencer) for a while but never wanted to go through the hassle.  I think there was a part of me that didn’t want the stigma a lot of people assign to something like that either.  That is, until I realized I don’t really agree with those notions in the first place, especially considering much of it is based on nothing more than what they’ve seen portrayed in the movies.  So tough!

After doing copious amounts of research (by proxy through my coworker anyway ) I’ve narrowed my choices down to two:

• YHM (Yankee Hill Machine) Phantom 7.62 suppressor
• SAS (Suppressed Armament Systems) Arbiter 7.62 suppressor

From everything I’ve been able to tell, either one would be a good fit for me and would actually cost about the same with the options I want (quick-detach flash hider).  After considering everything, I opted for the SAS.  The primary reason is I feel it might be slightly better performing than the Yankee Hill.  The only downside is the unknown quality of on-going support from SAS as they are a much younger and smaller company.  This can go both ways and I can only hope it stays top notch.  The price breakdown for this is going to be something like:

$575.00 - SAS 7.62 suppressor
$75.00 – .308 quick-detach flash hider
$75.00 – .223 quick-detach flash hider (for my AR-15’s)
$50.00 – FFL transfer cost
$200.00 – IRS TAX.  Yeah, you’ve got to pay for a TAX STAMP, how backwards is that?

Total cost should be about $1,000.  More than I’d like to pay but I’ve decided to “just do it”.  At least I’m just getting the .308 can right from the start.  All reports suggest they will work fine on the smaller .223 round and this will make it so I don’t feel the need to get a .223 AND .308 suppressor.

Firearms are complicated enough to purchase already, especially when dealing with shipping across state lines, items like fully automatic weapons (machine guns) or suppressors are even more convoluted and complex.  If everything goes according to plan, it should go something like this:

1. Place order for suppressor. (DONE)
2. Send copy of FFL license to manufacturer.  They will verify the validity of the license.
3. Pay for the suppressor.
4. Manufacturer submits paperwork to BATFE for permission to do a dealer-to-dealer transfer.
5. 7-21 days (if all goes well) later, BAFTE approves the request and SAS ships suppressor to FFL.
6. Once FFL receives the suppressor, I am able to submit my own paperwork to BATFE for the tax stamp.
7. 3-9 months (if all goes well) later, BATFE approves the transfer and I can go pick up the suppressor from my FFL.
8. Enjoy.

At least that’s my current understanding.  Once the initial steps are taken care of, my FFL will help me with my part since they specialize in dealing with the ATF whereas I don’t!  I don’t plan on actually getting the thing until the middle of next year.  Who knows though, maybe I’ll get lucky and it will be by March!  Heh, yeah.

Finally, here are a few Youtube videos of the SAS in action…

Click here to view the embedded video.

The audio is kinda messed up on the video above, but it gives you some idea…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Needless to say, I can’t wait!

What is possibly more chilling however, is a statement made by Senator Dwight Nelson:

“In these times, we must give the police the latitude to act in a situation where they think that there is a threat.”

I’m very proud to live in a state where we passed specific legislation to prevent this kind of abuse from taking place, even under extraordinary circumstances.  I honestly don’t know how I would react in an emergent situation if someone came to confiscate my firearms.  In one view, it’s not as though they are literally trying to take my life.  At the same time however, by disarming me they are taking away my ability to effectively defend myself in a bad situation (that is only more likely to occur after a natural disaster or other emergency).  It’s one of those moral assessments that each individual needs to evaluate.

The argument could be made that of course the police should be allowed to confiscate items, whether firearms or otherwise, in emergency situations, especially when they “believe there is a threat”.  I’ve heard this many times before.  All you have to do is look at something like Katrina (another story) to realize that in dire situations, law enforcement tends to start looking at everyone as potential threats.  In fact, the legislation passed in Utah to prevent this kind of abuse was coined “the Katrina bill.”  Rather appropriate if you ask me. 

Their definition of what a “threat” entails is left to the police or prosecutor’s interpretation and assessment.  I’m never a fan of laws that leave things open to interpretation.  I believe part of “equal protection under the law” is subverted when the same act can be interpreted in different ways, one being okay and the other a crime; all based on if the officer/attorney is having a bad day or not.

It happened in Katrina, it’s happening in Jamaica and all over the world.  Be watchful.

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