The feds to not ban silencers, but they are excessively controlled by the National Firearms Act of 1934. This law requires that an unlicensed person who makes or buys a silencer (or other title 2 weapon) fill out the ATF form 4 (to buy) or ATF form 1 (to make) and send it in along with form 5330.20 attesting to their US citizenship, finger prints, mug shots, and a check for $200. The ATF form 1 or 4 has to be signed by your local sheriff. If you use a trust or Corp. then the 5330.20, fingerprints, photos and sheriff sig are not required. I have never heard of any person who filled out the forms correctly being denied approval to transfer. The process can be easier than getting a first time driver's license, but more time consuming and sometimes more expensive.
Only 38 states allow unlicensed civilians to own silencers. AL, AR, AK, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MO, MS, MT, NE, ND, NV, NH, NM, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY allow unlicensed civilians to own silencers. WA bans use. TX and FL (and maybe some others) ban them unless the owner can prove they are registered with the feds. CA, IA, KS, MA, MO, and MI allow dealers and manufacturers (FFL/SOT classes 2 and 3) to own silencers.
Ranb