Yeah, not least because they are heavily regulated (but not banned) and relatively difficult for the average jerk to get ahold of.
Here's a video of a dude using a silencer on a walther to give y'all a sense of the difference. I guess I don't get why we would need to make silencers more easily available when the legitimate problem they solve (guns are loud and hurt hearing) can be easily solved by cheap ass earplugs and silencers present a danger of harm to others by making it easier to get away with shooting someone.
I feel like I'm getting lost in the weeds over a small issue when the big issue is about firearms more generally. If there's evidence that suggests easily available silencers do not have any impact on gun violence then I totally drop my objection, but what I've seen suggests otherwise.
I've read every word of this thread, just so ya know; even your "book." And I do appreciate the civil conversation.
The previous comment about silencers being involved in a "handful" of crimes is probably an exaggeration. Last article I read mentioned that there had been very few, as they had problems finding real facts about more than one or two. Was probably a year or so ago that I read that.
I manufacture silencers, and have had the pleasure of testing one on my own rifle. As well as other rifles, and even competitor's silencers. Average sound level reduction is less than 30dB on most. A small rifle, like an AR-15, with a .223 round averages about 165dB. 135dB is still loud and definitely still sounds like a gun.
Then, there's the issue of size. They add a LOT to a weapon: weight, diameter and length. No way you're going to carry one, concealed. Even if they were as easily available as any other firearm accessory.... Well, you get what you pay for. Sure, there would be some for really cheap (probably around $200) but, they probably wouldn't reduce much sound, and might even adversely affect the weapon they're on. Or, like I am buying, you could have an all titanium design that will last forever, reduce sound as well or better than the number one product on the market, doesn't affect accuracy, and reduces the felt recoil (for about $1000). How many criminals are gonna spend that kinda dough, just so they don't need to wear ear-plugs when they do their drive-bys?
On another note:
The AR in AR-10, AR-15, AR-7, etc. started out as an abbreviation for Armalite Rifle. Assault rifles are capable of firing more than one round with a single pull of the trigger. The only way that happens with an AR-XX is if it's been modified or, in my case, the trigger just broke. Even then, it tried to cycle so fast, it just jammed. I make these, also. If they get banned, again, I lose income. They look like military issue but, they do not function the same. And sometimes, they are the best choice for personal defense.
Oklahoma Man Uses AR-15 to Kill Three Teen Home Intruders - NBC News
) right this minute.
