It appears to me as though suppressors/silencers have become more popular today that they were years ago. I believe this has to do with the education promoted by the ASA (American Silencer Association) and other pro-second amendment organizations. The reasons for owning or wanting to own a suppressor very from the prevention of hearing loss of frequent sport shooters, the ability for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to hear and track with out the worry of damage to the ear when ready to fire and for that coolness factor (I'd be lying if I said there wasn't one).
The fact that suppressors are NFA regulated items requires owners so spend a great deal of time and money establishing an NFA trust to purchase these items along with the exorbitant waiting periods only hurting law abiding citizens