For you Texans, go here;
http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/statutes.html and search for silencer. It will tell you that;
§ 46.05. PROHIBITED WEAPONS. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs, or sells: .....(4) a firearm silencer[0];..... (c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the actor's possession was pursuant to registration pursuant to the National Firearms Act, as amended.
So in other words, you need to make sure that you have a copy of your ATF form 4 or form 1 whenever you bring your silencer to the range or hunt with it (if legal). While only the ATF can demand that you produce the form, the local police can put you in jail if you do not show it to them to prove you are legal. Only a few others states are like this. But TX is one of the 37 states that allow unlicensed civilians to own silencers.
Instead of relying on web boards (even gun forums), it is best to look at the law yourself or contact a lawyer.
Sometimes I think gun owners are their own worst enemy. I see crap like some of what I am seeing right here in this thread all the time. Silencers are illegal, illegal in most states, you need a permit, you need a license, a yearly tax, the ATF does warrentless searches on you, they do not work on high powered rifles, they only work with subsonic ammo, they always reduce accuracy, only killers use them, they have no sporting use. All of these common statements are false. You might think that some gun owners are employees of Waxman or the Brady Campaign by the way they talk. Are gun owners really this stupid or are they just prejudiced?
For those that are reading this thread, here are a few links with lots of info and a minimum of stupid in them.
http://www.subguns.com and
http://www.silencertests.com . The subguns website has lists of local dealers, downloadable forms and a good forum. Silencertests has a forum and some good info on legalities. Make sure your county government has no restrictions before you buy or make a silencer. Good luck
Ranb