Shorter approval times for firearm suppressors

Firearm suppressor approval through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is at its all-time shortest, with most people receiving confirmation within one week. This is down from previous years when purchasers might wait two years to receive approval for their suppressor. With shorter approval times, Polar Armory owner Oso Adams said he is selling more suppressors now than ever before.

“Even in my own store, we would sell a suppressor every month or so,” Adams said. “On average I would say that I would sell maybe 20 suppressors in a year and now I’m selling 20-30 suppressors every month.”

Adams explained that the ATF changed their screening process early in 2024 to make suppressor approval quicker. Prior to this change, the ATF would conduct a background check that stretched all the way back into a person’s life history. The new process now only considers the timeframe between the current purchase and that person’s latest background check.

“If you buy a gun in November and you look at a suppressor in December, they're only looking at your last 30 days to make sure they still haven't done anything to make it where you wouldn't be allowed to have one,” Adams said.

The old process was redundant, according to Adams. It required a lot of resources and time to dig through information. A switch to digital processes has also sped things up.

Polar Armory, located on North Snowy Mountain Circle near Palmer, is a one stop shop for suppressor purchases. Oso and his wife Frankie can help customers fill out the qualifying forms and identification processes. They have digital software to capture fingerprinting and take the required passport-style photos. Purchasers will need to pass a background check and provide the same amount of information as when buying a firearm, including government issued identification to prove proof of residence. New customers should expect to spend around 30 minutes in the store to finish these tasks. A $200 tax stamp fee will need to be paid to the ATF on top of the price of the suppressor.

Once a customer is approved, they can visit the store that same day and pick up their suppressor to take home. Polar Armory has suppressors on hand, which requires an additional license for the shop. Adams will educate customers on suppressors, taking one apart and showing them the components that make them effective. They have suppressed firearms on hand that customers can shoot on the property to get a better understanding of what suppressors can provide.

“I try to break down the walls and open up that conversation to let them feel as comfortable as possible so they know that they’re buying something that they’re truly going to use and enjoy the benefits,” Adams said.

Suppressor benefits include reduced felt recoil by the shooter, reduced noise, less felt compression from the muzzle blast in larger calibers and fewer associated smells. These benefits can be experienced shooting on the range, especially when shooting around other people. This also benefits hunters in the field by not compromising other people or disturbing game animals.

“Not only are you reducing the noise, but youre reducing the felt gas pressure from the round coming out of the barrel because it’s truly eating up that gas through baffles to quiet it down and reduce the pressure coming out,” Adams said.

Adams addressed the stigma that has surrounded suppressor ownership in the past. He credits that to long wait times and a lack of first-hand feedback from purchasers. The appearance of suppressors in movies has also affected the public’s perception of the tool’s real-world benefits.

Polar Armory has been open since Dec. of 2019. They are located near the end of Buffalo Mine and Moose Creek Road off of Mile Marker 53 on the Glenn Highway. While the location may be further from town, the shop sits on over 10 acres with the ability to shoot firearms on site. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from noon until 8 p.m. They carry most major firearms brands, optics and suppressors. They are one of the only shops in Alaska to be a Glock Master Dealer, which allows them to provide discounts to law enforcement, military and first responders under the Glock Blue Label Program.

The entire Adams family are shooters and firearms enthusiasts. They encourage customers to bring their families and welcome shooters of all ages. They work to create relationships with their customers and their community.

“It’s such a great community up here that we’ve been completely ecstatic and just honored to be a part of,” Adams said.

Polar Armory will be at the Wasilla High School Gun and Outdoor Show on Jan. 18 and 19.