WaEx:
Supreme Court turns away challenge to federal law regulating gun silencers.
The Supreme Court on Monday rebuffed a challenge to a federal law that requires the regulation of gun silencers.
The case involves two men, Jeremy Kettler and Shane Cox, who were convicted of possessing unregistered firearm suppressors in violation of the National Firearms Act. The federal law, enacted in 1934, requires certain firearms — including silencers, grenades, and machine guns — to be registered with the federal government. It also requires a person purchasing a suppressor to pay a fee, undergo a background check, and submit fingerprints and photos.
Cox owns a military surplus store in Chanute, Kan., where he made and sold suppressors. Kettler bought a silencer in 2014 at Cox’s store.
Kettler’s attorneys argued he believed the “purchase, possession, and use of such a suppressor was entirely lawful.” Lawyers for Cox told the Supreme Court in filings he never would have made or sold the suppressors had he not thought it was legal to do so under a Kansas gun law passed in 2013.
After purchasing the silencer from Cox, Kettler posted a video to Facebook of the device, which led agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to interview him about his suppressors and posts on social media.
Kettler informed the ATF agents he was in possession of the silencers and told them he had “done nothing wrong,” his lawyers said.
Again, I ask this question…
Does it not spit in the faces of the Founders to allow the government to own firearms and firearm accessories that the average citizen cannot own?
muddjuice, I think you just summed up 2A entirely. Bravo.
I know it’s “bad timing” and all, but they’re still a gang of freakin’ statist cowards.
If the court rules that the suppressors are NOT firearms, then why were they charged with felony firearm possession?
I have to wait 9 months and pay $200 for a “stamp” to own a suppressor. These government goons are missing a huge revenue opportunity. BTW, you have to purchase a stamp for each and every suppressor you intend to own AND wait 9 months for the paper work to pass the smell test. Then you have to have the documentation on you whenever you use the suppressed gun. The fine starts at $20,000 and ten years in federal prison if you don’t.
What they should do is sell a “suppressor” style credit card where you pay $500 for it, up front. Then you can purchase all you want but you must pay 25% interest on unpaid suppressors. That way you either are forced to pay in full OR pay the interest to Uncle Sam.
Naturally you would still need to pass the ATF, FBI, State and Federal check points first and follow all the existing laws related to suppressors.
Well, you know, people, as long as we agree to pay them to play by their “rules” (subject to change without notice), they’ll always play fair.
Wait, I thought it was a slam dunk to argue the suppressors were designed to protect the shooter’s hearing. Who dropped the ball, so to speak?
“After purchasing the silencer from Cox, Kettler posted a video to Facebook of the device, which led agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to interview him…”
What a dumb ass.
Tony R
Yep, agree. Social media is NEVER your friend.
Or, as my mother would often tell me, “the only way two people can keep a secret is if one of them is dead”. Wise woman, my mother.
I keep my gun license right next to my church of choice license and free speech license. Hmmmm