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Pennsylvania Suppressors & Silencers Laws (2026)
Conditional: Suppressors are legal in Pennsylvania once you register them with the federal government.
Suppressors are legal in Pennsylvania once you register them with the federal government. Under 18 Pa.C.S. 908 a silent-discharge firearm is an "offensive weapon," but 908(b)(1) makes compliance with the National Firearms Act (NFA) a complete defense. Hunting with a suppressor is permitted.
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Suppressors & Silencers in states bordering Pennsylvania
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- DelawareRestricted
Firearm silencers are banned in Delaware: a silencer is a "destructive weapon" under 11 Del. C. 1444, and civilian possession is a class E felony even if the device is registered under the federal National Firearms Act (NFA). The only exceptions are narrow ones for the military, police, and wildlife biologists.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: delcode.delaware.gov · Full Delaware rule →
- MarylandConditional
Suppressors are legal in Maryland, which has no state ownership ban — they are lawful through the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) process on ATF Form 4. Maryland's DNR names suppressors as authorized deer-hunting equipment, so hunting with one is allowed.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
- New JerseyRestricted
Firearm silencers are banned for civilians in New Jersey. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(c), knowingly possessing one is a fourth-degree crime, and a tax stamp under the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) does not make a suppressor legal in New Jersey.
Verified Aug 2, 2026 · Source: pub.njleg.gov · Full New Jersey rule →
- New YorkRestricted
Firearm silencers are banned in New York. Under N.Y. Penal Law 265.02(2), possessing one is criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a class D felony, and a tax stamp under the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) does not make a suppressor legal in New York.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: nysenate.gov · Full New York rule →
- OhioConditional
Suppressors are legal in Ohio, which classifies a suppressor as "dangerous ordnance," but ORC 2923.17(C)(5) exempts owners whose device is registered in the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) registry, so possession is lawful with an ATF stamp. Hunting with a suppressor is authorized.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: codes.ohio.gov · Full Ohio rule →
- West VirginiaConditional
Suppressors are legal in West Virginia, where no statute bans possession of a registered suppressor, as long as you comply with the federal National Firearms Act (NFA). Hunting with a suppressor is permitted; W. Va. Code 20-2-5 (unlawful methods of hunting) includes no suppressor entry.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: code.wvlegislature.gov · Full West Virginia rule →
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