Litigation

ASA FOUNDATION & SILENCER SHOP
BACK LAWSUIT AGAINST ILLINOIS SUPPRESSOR BAN

SPRINGFIELD, IL – On February 27, 2023, the American Suppressor Association Foundation (ASA-F) and Silencer Shop helped file a Federal lawsuit in the Southern District of Illinois against the State of Illinois, alleging that Illinois’ ban on suppressor ownership and possession is an unconstitutional violation of the Second Amendment. The case is known as Anderson v. Raoul.

“The American Suppressor Association Foundation has always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of law-abiding Americans to possess and own suppressors.  After last summer’s Bruen ruling, we knew it was time to get to work on a case that would apply the Second Amendment’s protections to the States,” said Knox Williams, ASA-F’s Executive Director. 

“This case argues that suppressors are covered by the Second Amendment’s protection of the right to keep and bear arms, and that Illinois’ flat-out ban on suppressor ownership is therefore unconstitutional,” said Chris Boeck, ASA-F Board Member and General Counsel of Silencer Shop.  “We’re optimistic the courts will agree with our interpretation, and extend the right to own suppressors to the people of Illinois. Suppressors offer critical hearing protection, reduce recoil, and improve accuracy. They facilitate communication and situational awareness while hunting, at the range, and during urgent moments of self-defense. They make firearms safer.”

Williams continued, “the standard of review laid out by the Supreme Court in its Bruen decision last summer requires Illinois to justify its ban on suppressor ownership by showing that the ban is consistent with ‘the Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.’  Since there has never been a nationwide ban on suppressor ownership, and since suppressors are neither dangerous nor unusual, we are confident that Illinois will not be able to justify its ban to the court.”

Illinois’ ban on suppressors is on borrowed time.  ASA-F and Silencer Shop are confident that this lawsuit will open up the door to legal suppressor ownership in the Prairie State.

ASA-F WILL FIGHT UNTIL EVERY SUPPRESSOR BAN IS OVERTURNED!

1. suppressor bans are unconstitutional

There has never been a Federal ban on suppressors, but there are currently 8 states where their possession is prohibited. Each of these state bans is a violation of the Constitution.

2. THE SECOND AMENDMENT PROTECTS YOUR RIGHT TO HAVE SUPPRESSORS

Suppressors have been classified as firearms since 1934. As such, they are bearable arms and must be afforded the same Constitutional protections by the Second Amendment as firearms.

3. ASA-F WILL FIGHT UNTIL EVERY SUPPRESSOR BAN IS OVERTURNED

Suppressors are legal to own in 42 states. California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island are the 8 states that ban suppressors. The lawsuit challenging the ban in Illinois is the first of its kind, but it will not be the last!

CASE STATUS

Anderson v. Raoul

US District Court - Southern District of Illinois

Case #3:23-cv-00728-DWD

Latest Action: 1/14/2025

Action: Conference with Judge Dugan Scheduled

Next: Barnett v. Raoul Decision Issued 11/8/2024

Corporate Contributors

This lawsuit would not be possible without the generous support of corporate contributors. Silencer Shop contributed an initial $350,000 to allow us to file the first lawsuit in Illinois. As of December 2024, Silencer Shop has continued to contribute, along with other corporate donors, in the amounts shown below.

$375,000+

$175,000+

$75,000+

$30,000+

The American Suppressor Association Foundation stands at the forefront of pro-suppressor litigation

ASA-F is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit that was formed to help educate the public on the realities and merits of suppressors.

1

ASA-F will fight until every suppressor ban is overturned

There are currently 8 states where suppressor ownership and possession are banned.

2

ASA-F and Silencer Shop have partnered to help sue Illinois

The ASA-F and Silencer Shop backed lawsuit is the first step of many to overturn the unconstitutional bans on suppressors. 

3

ASA-F will back lawsuits in additional states 

The lawsuit in Illinois is the first ASA-F backed suit of its kind. It will not be the last. ASA-F will continue until every suppressor ban is overturned!

4

Winning in court will end the threat of suppressor bans

In 2023, legislators in Virginia and New Mexico tried to ban suppressors. Winning in court will ultimately ensure that suppressor bans are never on the table again!

About the ASA Foundation

The American Suppressor Association Foundation (ASA-F) is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit organization.  Formed to educate the public on the realities and merits of suppressors, ASA-F stands at the forefront of pro-suppressor Constitutional litigation.

The ability of the American Suppressor Association Foundation to educate and litigate for your Constitutional rights is tied directly to our ability to fundraise. For more information on how you can help, visit www.Suppressor.org.