February 27, 2026

Why Suppressor Sales Are Exploding

Photo: The round can in this shot is a Gemtech Lunar-9. The Lunar-9 breaks in half should you need something stubbier. The rectangular SilencerCo Osprey .45 provides class-leading suppression.

For decades, suppressors lived in the shadows.

Hollywood painted them as assassin tools. Politicians treated them like exotic contraband. And most gun owners assumed they were either illegal or impossible to get.

But something changed.

Over the past several years, suppressor sales have surged across the United States. Transfer numbers through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have climbed dramatically, with millions now in civilian hands.

So what is driving the explosion?

The Hollywood Myth Is Dying

Blame John Wick and decades of spy thrillers for the misconception. In movies, suppressors turn gunshots into faint whispers.

Reality is very different.

A suppressor does not make a firearm silent. It reduces the sound signature, often bringing it down to safer hearing levels, but it still produces a loud report. Think jackhammer instead of thunderclap.

As more gun owners experience suppressors firsthand, the myth fades. They discover a tool designed primarily for hearing protection and recoil reduction, not secrecy.

That shift in understanding has opened the floodgates.

Hearing Protection Is the Real Driver

Here is the part rarely discussed outside firearm circles.

Even a single unsuppressed rifle shot can cause permanent hearing damage. Hunters often fire without ear protection in the field. Instructors and range regulars accumulate thousands of rounds per year.

Suppressors reduce decibel levels, soften concussion, and make training more comfortable. They also reduce recoil and muzzle blast, which can improve follow-up shots and shooter confidence.

In many European countries, suppressors are treated as polite safety devices. In parts of Scandinavia, they are commonly encouraged for hunting to minimize noise pollution.

American shooters are increasingly adopting the same mindset. The device once associated with crime is now marketed as safety equipment.

The Regulatory Reality Shift

For years, suppressors were seen as bureaucratic nightmares. The application process under the National Firearms Act required paperwork, fingerprints, background checks, and long wait times.

That is still true.

But the rise of specialized manufacturers and streamlined digital filing has made the process more transparent and manageable. Gun owners who once avoided the hassle now view it as a one-time inconvenience for a long-term benefit.

Social media, online education, and clearer compliance guidance have also demystified the process. What once felt secretive now feels procedural.

And when something moves from “mysterious” to “manageable,” adoption tends to spike.

Suppressors did not suddenly become more dangerous. They became more understood.

The result? A market that continues to grow year after year.

Until next time, stay locked and loaded.
- Randy, Locked N Loaded

Please add randy@gophercentral.com to your address book or visit here.

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