Mechanic Builds Silencers for SEALs, Gets Prosecuted

[Ben]

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/

[Tallpine]

Landersman was paid $1.7 million in 2012 to build 349 suppressors.

That's a heck of a big sting operation 

[cordex]

That's a heck of a big sting operation 

And a heck of a unit rate too.

[dm1333]

$4800 each.  Not sure if that is a rip off or not.

[Boomhauer]

$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.

[Fly320s]

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.

[Jamisjockey]

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?

[dm1333]

But what are they made of, what kind of parts and support come with them?

[geronimotwo]

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.

[Ben]

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.

[Fly320s]

I think the SEALS, SpecOps, Govt, etc, already have all the deniability they need.

[dogmush]

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?!?!?

[Ben]

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.

[Tallpine]

Jayne: I got pinched.

Mal: That's what happens when you call the feds.

[brimic]

Anyone else qustion the supressor prohibition for its absurdity?

[Tallpine]

Anyone else qustion the supressor prohibition for its absurdity?

If it wasn't prohibited then it would be required 

[Fly320s]

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.

[MechAg94]

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. 

[Devonai]

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.

[Balog]

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.

[Devonai]

  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.

[Pb]

It is my understanding that these folks were ripping off the gov... explaining the absurd prices.

[MechAg94]

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. 

[æg151337]

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?

[geronimotwo]

not just suppressors, super ninja-seal suppressors!