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West Virginia Suppressors & Silencers Laws (2026)

Conditional: Suppressors are legal in West Virginia, where no statute bans possession of a registered suppressor, as long as you comply with the federal National Firearms Act (NFA).

ConditionalVerified Jul 18, 2026

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Suppressors are legal in West Virginia, where no statute bans possession of a registered suppressor, as long as you comply with the federal National Firearms Act (NFA). Hunting with a suppressor is permitted; W. Va. Code 20-2-5 (unlawful methods of hunting) includes no suppressor entry.

Official source: code.wvlegislature.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Suppressors & Silencers in states bordering West Virginia

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

KentuckyConditional
Suppressors are legal in Kentucky, which imposes no state ban, once you complete the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) process. Hunting with a suppressor is expressly permitted: a person with a federal permit for a firearm noise suppressor may use it to take legal game with a valid hunting license.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: fw.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MarylandConditional
Suppressors are legal in Maryland, which has no state ownership ban — they are lawful through the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) process on ATF Form 4. Maryland's DNR names suppressors as authorized deer-hunting equipment, so hunting with one is allowed.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
OhioConditional
Suppressors are legal in Ohio, which classifies a suppressor as "dangerous ordnance" (ORC 2923.17, fifth-degree felony), but 2923.17(C)(5) exempts owners whose device is registered in the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) registry, so a federally registered suppressor is lawful. …
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: codes.ohio.gov · Full Ohio rule →
PennsylvaniaConditional
Suppressors are legal in Pennsylvania once you register them with the federal government. Under 18 Pa.C.S. 908 a silent-discharge firearm is an "offensive weapon," but 908(b)(1) makes compliance with the National Firearms Act (NFA) a complete defense. Hunting with a suppressor is permitted.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: palegis.us · Full Pennsylvania rule →
VirginiaConditional
Suppressors are legal in Virginia, which has no ban on possessing a lawfully-registered suppressor, as long as you comply with the federal National Firearms Act (NFA). Hunting with a suppressor is permitted; Virginia's DWR regulations bar only fully-automatic firearms.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →

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