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Main Forums => Politics => Topic started by: Ben on March 08, 2014, 08:59:35 PM

Title: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Ben on March 08, 2014, 08:59:35 PM
I guess that's what's happening. This is a very limited information story. Unless he was illegally selling them outside of his contract or something, how can he be prosecuted?

 http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/03/07/judge-questions-prosecution-mechanic-who-built-rifle-silencers-for-navy-seals/
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Tallpine on March 08, 2014, 09:04:46 PM
Quote
Landersman was paid $1.7 million in 2012 to build 349 suppressors.

That's a heck of a big sting operation  ;/
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: cordex on March 08, 2014, 09:37:32 PM
That's a heck of a big sting operation  ;/
And a heck of a unit rate too.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: dm1333 on March 08, 2014, 10:14:25 PM
$4800 each.  Not sure if that is a rip off or not.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Boomhauer on March 08, 2014, 10:30:22 PM
$4800 each.  Not sure if that is a rip off or not.

About 4 times the going rate for a quality common caliber suppressor (i.e., 5.56, .308, 9mm, .45ACP). Might be a different story for a large cal suppressor (such as a .50BMG, dunno about those). And that's the off the shelf price for a normal person, with the costs of a maker building them for the civilian market (taxes and licensing fees).

If the SEALs want a deniable suppressor I'm sure any of the MANY suppressor makers can make a sanitized version easily. Not sure why the SEALs are turning to some random dude for sterile suppressors and paying him what is probably an insane amount per unit when a known maker could make them whatever they want with the latest technology.





Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Fly320s on March 08, 2014, 10:49:46 PM
About 4 times the going rate for a quality common caliber suppressor (i.e., 5.56, .308, 9mm, .45ACP). Might be a different story for a large cal suppressor (such as a .50BMG, dunno about those). And that's the off the shelf price for a normal person, with the costs of a maker building them for the civilian market (taxes and licensing fees).

If the SEALs want a deniable suppressor I'm sure any of the MANY suppressor makers can make a sanitized version easily. Not sure why the SEALs are turning to some random dude for sterile suppressors and paying him what is probably an insane amount per unit when a known maker could make them whatever they want with the latest technology.

I agree with all of that.

My fancy Surefire 5.56 suppressor was under $1,000 retail.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Jamisjockey on March 09, 2014, 07:08:58 AM
About 4 times the going rate for a quality common caliber suppressor (i.e., 5.56, .308, 9mm, .45ACP). Might be a different story for a large cal suppressor (such as a .50BMG, dunno about those). And that's the off the shelf price for a normal person, with the costs of a maker building them for the civilian market (taxes and licensing fees).

If the SEALs want a deniable suppressor I'm sure any of the MANY suppressor makers can make a sanitized version easily. Not sure why the SEALs are turning to some random dude for sterile suppressors and paying him what is probably an insane amount per unit when a known maker could make them whatever they want with the latest technology.


Unless he had found a way to make theirs more durable, etc?
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: dm1333 on March 09, 2014, 08:00:45 AM
But what are they made of, what kind of parts and support come with them?
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: geronimotwo on March 09, 2014, 10:44:48 AM
About 4 times the going rate for a quality common caliber suppressor (i.e., 5.56, .308, 9mm, .45ACP). Might be a different story for a large cal suppressor (such as a .50BMG, dunno about those). And that's the off the shelf price for a normal person, with the costs of a maker building them for the civilian market (taxes and licensing fees).

If the SEALs want a deniable suppressor I'm sure any of the MANY suppressor makers can make a sanitized version easily. Not sure why the SEALs are turning to some random dude for sterile suppressors and paying him what is probably an insane amount per unit when a known maker could make them whatever they want with the latest technology.

I hope whatever relative got him the job can get him out of this trouble.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Ben on March 09, 2014, 10:54:18 AM
If the SEALs want a deniable suppressor I'm sure any of the MANY suppressor makers can make a sanitized version easily. Not sure why the SEALs are turning to some random dude for sterile suppressors and paying him what is probably an insane amount per unit when a known maker could make them whatever they want with the latest technology.


Putting on the tinfoil, if they wanted deniability, maybe that would be a reason to have some random mechanic make them, perhaps in a way that they actually look like they were made in someone's backyard, or cave in the hills.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Fly320s on March 09, 2014, 11:41:14 AM
I think the SEALS, SpecOps, Govt, etc, already have all the deniability they need.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: dogmush on March 09, 2014, 12:56:33 PM
Putting on the tinfoil, if they wanted deniability, maybe that would be a reason to have some random mechanic make them, perhaps in a way that they actually look like they were made in someone's backyard, or cave in the hills.

Yes, but that deniability would be lost if you allowed the mechanic to be arrested and prosecuted for making them. So why would you not protect the guy from that?

Super tinfoil:  What if it was a totally off the books thing. Rouge SEALS buying untraceable arms with some of Saddam's gold? 

Will they disappear into the Los Angeles underground to be soldiers for hire?!?!?
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Ben on March 09, 2014, 01:27:27 PM
Yes, but that deniability would be lost if you allowed the mechanic to be arrested and prosecuted for making them. So why would you not protect the guy from that?

Agreed. There has to be more to this story, which maybe we'll see, and maybe not.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Tallpine on March 09, 2014, 01:42:15 PM
Jayne: I got pinched.

Mal: That's what happens when you call the feds.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: brimic on March 09, 2014, 03:05:09 PM
Anyone else qustion the supressor prohibition for its absurdity?
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Tallpine on March 09, 2014, 03:07:35 PM
Anyone else qustion the supressor prohibition for its absurdity?


If it wasn't prohibited then it would be required  ;/
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Fly320s on March 09, 2014, 03:12:19 PM
Anyone else qustion the supressor prohibition for its absurdity?


If you mean the NFA, then yes.

If you mean state laws, then yes.

So, yes.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: MechAg94 on March 09, 2014, 11:20:35 PM
If you mean the NFA, then yes.

If you mean state laws, then yes.

So, yes.
I keep thinking that if they really wanted to legalize them and satisfy the ninnies, they could always put a minimum decibel limit for unlicensed suppressors.  Just legalizing them would make more sense. 
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Devonai on March 10, 2014, 12:34:52 PM
I agree with you, if only because it would be unenforceable anyway.  Altitude, relative humidity, barrel length, and distance from the meter would all change the reading, introducing reasonable doubt that the detected level was accurate.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Balog on March 10, 2014, 01:52:24 PM
I agree with you, if only because it would be unenforceable anyway.  Altitude, relative humidity, barrel length, and distance from the meter would all change the reading, introducing reasonable doubt that the detected level was accurate.

Not to mention type of ammo.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Devonai on March 10, 2014, 02:06:35 PM
 :facepalm: I knew I was forgetting something.

The more that I think about it the more impossible enforcement would be.  In order to prove that your 120 dB can was registering 115, for example, wouldn't the ATF have to replicate the exact conditions? Of course, they'd probably just take your can and let you try to come after them.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Pb on March 10, 2014, 02:45:20 PM
It is my understanding that these folks were ripping off the gov... explaining the absurd prices.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: MechAg94 on March 10, 2014, 04:13:14 PM
It is my understanding that these folks were ripping off the gov... explaining the absurd prices.
Which is strange because you can find pricing for civilian suppressors on the internet. 
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: æg151337 on March 12, 2014, 11:09:21 PM
Isn't the gov't notorious for paying absurd amounts of money for common items? hence the $80 stapler. Is it possible that the SEAL's were getting more then just the suppressors?
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: geronimotwo on March 13, 2014, 09:11:47 AM
not just suppressors, super ninja-seal suppressors!
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Tallpine on March 13, 2014, 10:51:21 AM
Isn't the gov't notorious for paying absurd amounts of money for common items? hence the $80 stapler. Is it possible that the SEAL's were getting more then just the suppressors?

It was a secret deal that they were trying to suppress.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Azrael256 on March 13, 2014, 11:21:22 AM
Yup, definitely an attempt to silence this guy.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Tallpine on March 13, 2014, 11:25:46 AM
Yup, definitely an attempt to silence this guy.

And then they screwed him.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: MechAg94 on March 13, 2014, 12:51:13 PM
Isn't the gov't notorious for paying absurd amounts of money for common items? hence the $80 stapler. Is it possible that the SEAL's were getting more then just the suppressors?
Yeah, it wouldn't take too many odd ball specifications to increase the cost.  Plus I was thinking Surefire has a model that attaches to a flash hider that is a couple grand. 
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Fly320s on March 13, 2014, 01:39:18 PM
Yeah, it wouldn't take too many odd ball specifications to increase the cost.  Plus I was thinking Surefire has a model that attaches to a flash hider that is a couple grand. 

Even their SOCOM suppressors aren't that much.  http://www.surefire.com/tactical-equipment/sound-suppressors/rifle-carbine-suppressors/556-mm-223-caliber.html

I have an older model that quickly attaches on their flash hider/suppressor adapter.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: p12 on March 13, 2014, 01:52:01 PM
Damn, I need to get into the suppressor business.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Jim147 on March 13, 2014, 07:59:10 PM
Damn, I need to get into the suppressor business.


I think you mean get into the taxpayer's money spending business.

jim
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: æg151337 on March 14, 2014, 02:20:58 AM
not just suppressors, super ninja-seal suppressors!

exactly!
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: MechAg94 on March 15, 2014, 06:45:08 PM
When the govt specifies that a coffee maker survive an EMT burst and must qualify for 14 different QAQC standards, it adds a bit to the price.  At least, I have heard that is what has led to some of the past big prices. 

On this one, since you can goggle standard suppressor pricing, I find it hard to believe it was a scam.  Assuming he actually did sell to a military outfit.  Sounds like there is more not being said.
Title: Re: Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted
Post by: Firethorn on March 16, 2014, 12:04:58 AM
When I heard about this story earlier, it was more a case of not following the rules and charging way more than market - IE abuse of funds.

And yes, you need a permit from the government to make silencers for the government.