CNN Money reports silencer sales have continued to increase as gun owners learn the benefits of sound suppression for their hearing protection and reduction of noise pollution. According to the article, "The civilian market for silencers soared 37% in 2013, when the total number shot up to nearly a half a million, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives registry. That's compared to 360,000 in 2012 and 285,000 in 2011."

To satisfy this growing demand, ATF confirmed last week it had added 30 new people to the NFA branch to process tax stamps faster for NFA-regulated firearms, such as silencers, short barrel rifles and shotguns, and machine guns. That department is now working 7 days/week to increase the pace of approvals. Additionally, ATF confirmed it has begun relaunching parts of the eFile system to enable the public to process their NFA paperwork faster.