It took about 24 hours for the legalities of SilencerCo’s new Maxim 50 integrally suppressed muzzleloader to be called into question.
The company launched the product Tuesday. There were initially shipping restrictions, but the Maxim 50 was deemed legal for use in all 50 states. Fast forward to Wednesday and the muzzleloader is being challenged in New Jersey, California and Massachusetts.
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Here is the official statement from SilencerCo:
Upon launching the Maxim 50, SilencerCo received several immediate legal challenges from authorities and lawyers in the states of New Jersey, California, and Massachusetts. Since we have no desire to place any consumer in a situation where they may get arrested and charged with a felony because their state defines a firearm differently than the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), we have placed orders from those states on hold and are refunding customers pending conversations amongst lawyers. These three states have rules that are not entirely clear with respect to firearms and silencers and antique firearms, and it is relevant to point out that no states contemplated a product of this sort in their laws.
SilencerCo asked for and received a determination from the BATFE on behalf of the federal government prior to launch but could not do so officially from each state government or risk specific state-level legislation being passed prohibiting the product before it was even launched. We will refund orders to customers from these states and update consumers as soon as feasible as to the ultimate determination in California, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
We believe that law abiding citizens should have the ability to purchase and own silencers, regardless of what state they live in. [SilencerCo] will continue [its] efforts in advocacy and encourage all who share our desire to take action and contact their elected representatives by visiting www.fightthenoise.org.
No other states are referenced in SilencerCo’s statement.
For more information on the Maxim 50, please visit SilencerCo.com.
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