[dexterblack]

Hi:

After a hiatus of many decades, I have been lured back into the shooting hobby by a fanatical brother -- and I truly enjoy it. I joined an indoor club last year, and try to get there whenever possible.

Recently, I noticed a guy shooting a very business-like .338 without hearing protection. Indeed, he clearly did not need it. The device on the muzzle was a suppressor. He worked in a tac/police based manufacturing & wholesale outfit, but he said that civilians CAN own suppressors, on the condition that they are serialized (ser. #) by the manufacturer, and that those numbers have been certified as recorded by the ATF -- i.e., you send it in, and they inspect it and send it back with a certification.

Is this correct? If so, how about antique examples? Can they be legally owned (if serialized)? I had the impression that civilian suppressors were a definite no-no.