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Suppressor facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A suppressor, often called a "silencer", is a special device that makes a gun quieter. It usually attaches to the end of the gun barrel, often by screwing it on. Some guns even have a suppressor built right into them.

Even though many people call them "silencers," these devices don't make a gun completely silent. How much quieter a gun becomes depends on the type of ammunition and the suppressor itself. A gun with a suppressor usually makes a sound between 120 and 135 decibels (dB). This is much quieter than a gun without one, which can be 140 to 165 dB. To give you an idea, a loud jackhammer makes about 130 dB of noise. Even with a suppressor, the sound is still loud enough to hurt your ears if you don't wear ear protection like earplugs.

Suppressors
Several guns with suppressors attached

What is a Gun Suppressor?

A gun suppressor is a metal tube with special parts inside called baffles. When a gun is fired, hot gases and sound waves rush out of the barrel. The suppressor traps these gases and slows them down. This process helps to reduce the loud bang, making the gun's sound much softer.

Why Are Suppressors Used?

Suppressors are used for several reasons. They help protect the hearing of people shooting, as gunshots are very loud and can cause permanent hearing damage. They also make it easier for people to communicate at a shooting range without shouting. For hunters, suppressors can reduce noise pollution in natural areas and make the sound less likely to scare away animals.

Are Suppressors Legal?

The rules about owning suppressors are different in various places. In many countries, only the military and police are allowed to have them. This is because some people worry that making guns quieter could make it easier for criminals to use them without being noticed.

In the United States, it is legal for regular people to own suppressors in most states. However, there are strict rules to follow. Buyers must go through a detailed background check and pay a special tax of $200. It is against the law to own a suppressor without paying this tax, unless you are a licensed firearms dealer, in the military, or part of 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.