Question regarding Suppressors

Question
Hello Dave,

I live here in NC and I would like to purchase a suppressor for an AR-15 I am currently building. Is this legal here in NC or is there a procedure that I must follow (forms, etc.)? I was also wondering about the laws regarding automatic weapons in NC. Thanks for your help!

Answer
It is possible to legally buy a suppressor or a full-auto gun in North Carolina if you are able to obtain the required law enforcement signature and you are not a felon (or have any other disqualifying background). The office of the county sheriff is the one who has to sign in NC.  I can tell you that in Wake county, the sheriff won't sign, but I've heard that it is possible if you live in some other counties (but there is no list of which ones).  You would make the arrangements with a class 3 dealer, pay him the money to buy the item, and then work on the paperwork he can give you.  If you get the law enforcement signature, you'll also need FBI fingerprints, and a background check.  Give the completed forms to the dealer, along with a $200 tax fee, and the dealer will send the proper forms to ATF.  If approved, it usually takes 2 to 3 months.  Then you can pick up the item.  You can find dealers through links on www.smallarmsreview.com.  Such as http://www.awcsystech.com/  for suppressors.  Small arms review magazine publishes a long list of ads from class 3 dealers in their magazine once per year.

Hope this helps!

Dave