Aug. 3, 2023

This paid piece is sponsored by Silencer Central.

The road to Sturgis this week will be filled with a lot of people who would like a better experience with their firearms.

At least, that has been the track record for Sioux Falls-based Silencer Central, which goes all-in on reaching visitors at the annual motorcycle rally.

“This crowd is a core demographic for us,” said Reid Vander Veen, executive director of sales and marketing.

“It’s a bunch of people that love being outdoors, are very patriotic and love their freedoms. Those are attributes that accurately describe a lot of our core customers. We like to be outside and take advantage of our Second Amendment freedoms, and many of these rally visitors are about to learn how a suppressor can help them do just that.”

Silencer Central will set up shop at three locations during this year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally:

• Black Hills Harley-Davidson: 2820 Harley Drive in Rapid City, Aug. 2-12.
• One Eyed Jacks Saloon: 1304 Main St. in Sturgis, Aug. 4-13
• Full Throttle Saloon: 19942 SD-79, between Sturgis and Vale, Aug. 4-13

“We do a lot of education at the rally because we’ll see people from so many walks of life,” Vander Veen said. “It’s different from a hunting or firearms show because it’s so broad. So there’s a lot of teaching about how a suppressor is an option, that it’s legal and the benefits include that it’s safer and there’s less recoil.”

Attendees at the Sturgis Rally quickly learn how Silencer Central simplifies the process of purchasing a silencer, managing all ATF paperwork for the customer and shipping directly to their door.

“We treat Sturgis like a normal show. Each location will have a fully integrated submission system on-site, so we’re able to get everybody processed and submitted right there during the rally,” Vander Veen said.

“It’s an efficient use of time and space, and a lot of people are surprised. They’re coming from as far as Florida and Texas, and they find out they can buy a suppressor while they’re here and we’ll take care of everything for them. Then, once approved, it simply shows up at their door states away. People from across the U.S. enjoy taking advantage of our process.”

Those who purchase a suppressor at the rally will be able to choose from a great selection of high-quality silencers, including BANISH suppressors and accessories, while Silencer Central handles their fingerprinting, photo and gun trust all for free.

“We’ve had a lot of luck connecting with customers at events like this,” Vander Veen said. “Outside core hunting and shooting shows, we’ll go to everything from farm shows to diesel truck conventions and almost anything in between. It’s all about meeting people where they’re at. We tend to have as much or even more success at these unrelated events than we do at shows specific to the firearms industry.”

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is all about having a good time, though, and Silencer Central’s presence reflects that too.

“We bring out a Polaris General four-seater side-by-side, and we wrap that and mount a machine gun on top of it. We’ll drive that back and forth between locations, and it definitely gets attention,” Vander Veen said.

“And new this year, we’re partnering with our friends at Black Rifle Coffee Co. to hand out their RTDs, Ready to Drink coffee, at our booths. We’re there to be precise and sharp, like any other event, but we like to have a good time and connect with the Sturgis crowd. For many of these rally guests, hunting and shooting are among their favorite hobbies, and we’re there to make that even better for them.”

It’s a good time for the Silencer Central team too.

“We’ve got a giant house rented for two weeks, everyone is staying there, and we’ll be there for the duration of the show,” Vander Veen said.

“Our team members absolutely love it. It’s definitely a different vibe from our normal shows, but it’s still a really good fit for us.”

Heading to Sturgis? Make sure and visit with the Silencer Central team and enjoy your complimentary coffee. Staying closer to home? Visit silencercentral.com to learn more about what a suppressor can do for you.