Are Silencers Legal in Maryland?

Silencers, also known as suppressors, are devices attached to firearms to reduce noise. In Maryland, silencers are generally illegal to possess or use without proper federal registration and adherence to state regulations. The legality depends heavily on both federal and state laws working together.

Maryland’s strict firearm laws mean that even if silencers are federally legal under certain conditions, state law imposes additional restrictions. Understanding these overlapping laws is crucial for residents and visitors to avoid serious legal consequences.

Is It Legal to Own or Use Silencers in Maryland?

In Maryland, owning or using silencers is largely illegal without federal approval and state compliance. This means most individuals cannot legally possess or operate silencers within the state.

Legal ownership requires navigating complex regulations, including federal registration under the National Firearms Act (NFA) and Maryland’s own restrictions.

• Silencers are classified as NFA items requiring federal registration and tax stamps before legal possession is possible in Maryland.

• Maryland law prohibits possession of silencers without meeting federal requirements and obtaining state permission, making unauthorized use illegal.

• Visitors to Maryland must ensure silencers are legally registered and permitted; otherwise, possession can lead to criminal charges.

• Manufacturers and sellers of silencers must comply with both federal and Maryland laws, including licensing and transfer restrictions.

Therefore, legal ownership and use of silencers in Maryland is possible but highly restricted and regulated.

What Does Maryland State Law Say About Silencers?

Maryland law explicitly prohibits possession of silencers except under strict conditions. The state enforces laws that complement federal regulations but add additional prohibitions.

The Maryland Code criminalizes possession of any firearm silencer unless the owner complies fully with federal law and obtains any required state permits.

• Maryland classifies silencers as prohibited devices, making unauthorized possession a criminal offense under state law.

• The state requires that silencers meet all federal registration requirements and that owners maintain proof of compliance.

• Maryland law enforcement actively enforces silencer prohibitions, often investigating unregistered silencers as serious offenses.

• Sale, transfer, or manufacture of silencers without proper federal and state authorization is illegal and punishable under Maryland statutes.

Maryland’s laws create a high barrier to legal silencer ownership beyond federal requirements.

Does Federal Law Affect the Legality of Silencers in Maryland?

Federal law heavily regulates silencers through the National Firearms Act (NFA). This federal framework sets the baseline for silencer legality nationwide, including Maryland.

Federal law requires registration, background checks, and tax payments for silencers, which Maryland law then enforces alongside its own restrictions.

• The NFA mandates that silencers be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) before legal possession.

• Federal law requires a $200 tax stamp for each silencer, which must be approved before transfer or manufacture.

• Federal background checks and fingerprinting are mandatory for silencer owners, ensuring only eligible individuals can legally possess them.

• Maryland defers to federal registration but adds its own prohibitions, meaning federal approval alone does not guarantee legal possession in Maryland.

Federal law provides the foundation, but Maryland’s additional restrictions limit silencer legality further.

Which Law Applies in Common Real-World Scenarios?

Understanding which laws apply in everyday situations helps clarify silencer legality in Maryland for residents and visitors.

Different scenarios involve varying combinations of federal and state laws that affect legal possession and use.

• Owning a silencer at home requires federal registration and Maryland compliance; without both, possession is illegal and subject to criminal penalties.

• Buying a silencer online involves federal transfer through a licensed dealer and Maryland approval; unregistered online purchases are illegal.

• Transporting silencers across state lines requires federal registration and adherence to both origin and destination state laws, including Maryland’s prohibitions.

• Using silencers on private property in Maryland still requires full legal compliance; unauthorized use is a criminal offense regardless of location.

Each scenario demands careful legal compliance with both federal and Maryland laws.

Restrictions and Conditions You Must Follow

Maryland imposes several restrictions and conditions on silencer possession and use, supplementing federal requirements.

These restrictions include licensing, age limits, and location-based bans that owners must strictly follow.

• Only individuals 21 years or older who pass federal background checks may legally own a silencer in Maryland.

• Federal registration and tax stamp approval are mandatory before possession or transfer of any silencer.

• Maryland prohibits silencers in certain areas, such as schools and government buildings, regardless of registration.

• Possession without a valid federal tax stamp and Maryland compliance is illegal and subject to criminal prosecution.

Failure to meet these conditions results in serious legal consequences.

Penalties for Violating the Law in Maryland

Violating Maryland’s silencer laws can lead to severe civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

Penalties depend on the nature of the violation and whether it involves possession, transfer, or use without authorization.

• Unauthorized possession of a silencer in Maryland is a felony offense punishable by imprisonment and substantial fines.

• Sale or transfer of silencers without proper federal and state authorization can result in felony charges and asset forfeiture.

• First-time offenders may face probation or jail time, while repeat offenders risk longer sentences and higher fines.

• Law enforcement typically initiates investigations through searches, tips, or during other firearm-related offenses.

Maryland enforces these penalties strictly to deter illegal silencer possession and use.

Common Situations Where People Get Confused

Several common misunderstandings arise regarding silencer legality in Maryland, often leading to inadvertent violations.

Clarifying these points helps individuals avoid legal trouble.

• Many mistakenly believe federal registration alone makes silencers legal in Maryland, but state law adds further prohibitions.

• Some assume silencers are legal for hunting or recreational use in Maryland, but state law generally prohibits their use regardless of purpose.

• Confusion exists around interstate travel with silencers, but Maryland law prohibits possession even if silencers are legal in the origin state.

• Online purchases without federal and Maryland compliance are illegal, despite the ease of ordering silencers over the internet.

Understanding these nuances is essential to avoid unintentional legal violations.

Recent Legal Changes or Court Decisions

Maryland has not enacted significant recent changes or court rulings altering silencer legality. The state maintains its longstanding strict prohibitions.

No major legislative reforms or judicial decisions have expanded silencer rights or eased restrictions in Maryland as of 2026.

• Maryland continues to enforce existing laws prohibiting silencer possession without federal registration and state compliance.

• No recent court decisions have overturned or modified Maryland’s silencer prohibitions.

• Legislative efforts to relax silencer laws in Maryland have not succeeded, maintaining the status quo.

• Federal silencer regulations remain unchanged, continuing to require registration and tax stamps nationwide.

The legal landscape for silencers in Maryland remains stable and restrictive.

Practical Examples

If you live in Maryland and want to own a silencer, you must first apply for federal registration through the ATF, pay the tax stamp, and ensure compliance with Maryland’s prohibitions. Without these steps, possession is illegal.

If you bought a silencer in another state where silencers are legal and bring it into Maryland without federal registration and state approval, you risk felony charges for illegal possession under Maryland law.

• Maryland residents must complete federal NFA procedures and verify state compliance before legally possessing silencers at home.

• Bringing silencers into Maryland from out of state without proper registration violates both federal and Maryland laws, leading to criminal prosecution.

These examples highlight the importance of understanding and following all applicable laws.

Conclusion

Silencers in Maryland are generally illegal unless the owner complies fully with federal registration requirements and Maryland’s strict prohibitions. This dual-layered regulation means legal ownership is rare and heavily controlled.

Understanding both federal and Maryland laws is essential for anyone considering silencer possession or use. Because Maryland enforces additional restrictions beyond federal law, residents and visitors must carefully verify legal compliance to avoid severe penalties.

FAQs

Can I legally buy a silencer in Maryland?

Buying a silencer in Maryland requires federal registration under the NFA and compliance with Maryland’s prohibitions. Without these, purchasing or possessing a silencer is illegal.

Is it legal to use a silencer for hunting in Maryland?

No, Maryland law generally prohibits the use of silencers for hunting or any other purpose, even if federally registered.

What penalties apply for illegal silencer possession in Maryland?

Illegal possession of a silencer in Maryland is a felony, punishable by imprisonment, fines, and possible asset forfeiture.

Can I transport a silencer through Maryland if it’s legal in my home state?

Transporting a silencer through Maryland without federal registration and state compliance is illegal and can result in criminal charges.

Are silencers legal on private property in Maryland?

Possession and use of silencers on private property in Maryland still require full legal compliance; unauthorized silencers remain illegal regardless of location.