imported post
If the silencer is registered, it is legal to possess it in Arizona. There is no law that prohibits the open carry of it alone or attached to a pistol. But read on...
Arizona prohibits "Manufacturing, possessing, transporting, selling or transferring a prohibited weapon" - by anybody. See ARS 13-3102.A.3
http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/13/03102.htm&Title=13&DocType=ARS
Prohibited weapons are defined in ARS 13-3101.A.7
http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/13/03101.htm&Title=13&DocType=ARS
the list includes:
"(b) Device that is designed, made or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm."
However, NFA registered items and C&R itemsare exempted in 13-3101.B:
"B. The items set forth in subsection A, paragraph 7, subdivisions (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this section do not include any firearms or devices that are registered in the national firearms registry and transfer records of the United States treasury department or any firearm that has been classified as a curio or relic by the United States treasury department. "
So, a registered silencer under A.7(b),or registered: automatic weapons, short-barreled rifles or shotguns- are not prohibited to possess in AZ. Hoo-Ah!
HOWEVER, it's important to note that having a silencer attached to an OC pistol could cause a concern by LEover your intent. The issue is most localities (including Tucson)have strict restrictions on the discharge of firearms, and the state does, too. Having a silencer attached could be viewed as your intention to attempt to muffle a discharge in an area whereit is prohibited. Do you really want to risk arrest on suspicion of discharging a weapon only to have to prove you didn't? If your gun was found to be fully loaded, clean, and your hands/arms/clothestest negative for powder residue, and you can prove the silencer is registered to you,they'll likely drop the charges and let you go. Does that sound like a fun way to spend a few hours - in the holding cell while they decide whether or not they can charge you?
In my opinion, having a silencer on an OC pistol just doesn't make sense. There is simply no legitimate reason for having one on a carry weapon, and I'll bet that is how most LEOs feel about them. A silencer screams, "I'm trying to get away with something illegal, likeplinking where I'm not allowed to." Like within a mile of an occupied structure, which is a felony in AZ (see ARS 13-3107 on the AZ Legislature site in the links above). Or, maybe it means you plan to do some covert drive by shootings. I dunno - it just projects the wrong image. Save the silencer for desert target practice away from attention of strangers, not your carry sidearm.You mightreason that "a silencer will save my hearing in a shootout", and I say, "the other guy's gun fired at you will still be reallyDAMN LOUD!"