LOUISVILLE—Since New Year’s Day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Louisville have made significant seizures of firearm suppressors at the local express consignment operations hub. 
Since January 1, CBP Officers targeted and seized 75 firearms suppressors originating from China, destined for multiple cities in the United States. The suppressors encountered were of varying designs and were mislabeled as air soft toys or fuel filters.
“The improper manifesting of contraband as a harmless or legitimate commodity is a common tactic used by some ill-intended importers to elude further examination,” according to Chief CBP Officer Brian Lick. “However, CBP officers are trained and vigilant in the detection of those types of tricks and work hard to make sure these illegal firearm components stay off our communities’ streets.”
A firearms suppressor or silencer is a muzzle device that reduces the acoustic intensity of the muzzle report (sound of gunfire) and eliminates muzzle flash when a gun is fired. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regulates and restricts firearms and ammunition. Importation of weapons or ammunition must be made by a licensed importer, dealer or manufacturer.
CBP's border security mission is led at ports of entry by CBP officers from the Office of Field Operations. CBP officers use a variety of techniques to intercept narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture, and other illicit products, and to assure that global tourism remains safe and strong.
Please visit CBP Ports of Entry to learn more about how CBP’s Office of Field Operations secures our nation’s borders.