The National Firearms Act was created in 1935 in response to mafia characters with machine guns. However, the elite in DC decided to classify silencers and short-barreled rifles as well. They created a "tax stamp" process with a $200 fee which in today's dollars was equivalent to about $3500 back then. They effectively denied the public the opportunity to own a muffler for their gun.
Fast forward to nowadays, $200 only affects the working class guy (and his family). I guess his hearing is not important to the elite. Luckily, silencer sales have exploded over the last few years and the average guy can afford hearing protection. If you've not shot all day without cumbersome/uncomfortable muffs/ear plugs by using a silencer, you are missing out! I love to blast my .45 all day and carry on a normal conversation with my friends.
And no, it doesn't sound like the movies...
Still sleeping with a Dixie Darling!