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Suppressor facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Suppressors
Several guns with suppressors attached

A suppressor, often called a "silencer" is a device used to make a gun less loud. Suppressors are most often added to the gun barrel, usually by screwing the silencer onto the end of the barrel. Some guns have a built-in suppressor.

Even though many people use the name "silencer" when talking about a suppressor, it does not really make the gun silent. How much the sound is reduced depends both on the cartridges and the suppressor. A suppressed firearm usually produces between 120 to 135 decibels (dB), which is much quieter than without the suppressor, but is still loud enough to cause hearing loss without additional protection such as earplugs. An unsuppressed firearm usually produces 140 to 165 dB. For comparison, a typical jackhammer produces about 130 dB.

In many places, suppressors are illegal to own except for the military and police. This is because suppressors make guns quieter and people worry this could help criminals commit crime.

In most states in the United States, suppressors are legal for civilians to own, but the National Firearms Act requires that buyers must undergo an extensive background check and pay a $200 tax. Possession of an untaxed suppressor is illegal, except for licensed class 3 firearms dealers, the military, and law enforcement.

Images for kids

  • CZ 452 A silencer large

    CZ 452 bolt-action rimfire rifle with suppressor

  • Bundeswehr-Technik 02 (RaBoe)

    AWM-F sniper rifle with attached suppressor

  • AS Val & VSS Vintorez - RaceofHeroes-part2-34 (cropped)

    Integral suppressor on VSS Vintorez sniper rifle and AS Val assault rifle

  • Huntertown Kestrel 5.56 disassembled

    Huntertown Kestrel 5.56 firearm suppressor disassembled to show blast chamber, baffles, and sections of the outer tube

  • SilencerCo Osprey .45

    SilencerCo Osprey .45 suppressor on a Springfield pistol

  • Nielsen device area of YHM Cobra .45 suppressor

    Rear of a suppressor with the Nielsen device protruding (completely assembled)

  • Nielsen device of YHM Cobra .45 suppressor partially removed

    Retaining ring unscrewed and Nielsen device partially removed

  • Nielsen device of YHM Cobra .45 suppressor completely disassembled

    Nielsen device completely removed and disassembled

  • Rotational indexing system of YHM Cobra .45 suppressor Nielsen device

    Rear of suppressor showing the rotational indexing system incorporated into some Nielsen devices

  • Silencerco Osprey 9, SWR Octane 45, and Silencerco Saker 5.56

    Firearm suppressors including the SilencerCo Osprey 9, SWR Octane 45, and SilencerCo Saker 5.56

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Silenciador para niños

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Suppressor Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.