ATF NFA Update: What Changes for Suppressors, SBRs and AOWs

Last updated: October 15, 2026

The short version:

• Starting October 9, 2026, the ATF will not enforce the NFA's approval and registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and "any other weapons" (AOWs).
• These requirements are still law. Making, transferring or owning an unregistered item may still violate federal law, even though the ATF is not enforcing it now. That policy could change, and there is no guaranteed amnesty or grandfather protection.
• For SBRs and SBSs, a separate federal requirement for dealer sales is also still law. The ATF is not enforcing it until it creates a new approval process.
• Dealers are handling these changes differently. Check with yours before you order.
• Machine guns and destructive devices are not affected. All of their rules still apply.
• Background checks and the Form 4473 still apply. So do state and local laws.

What the ATF announced

On October 9, 2026, the ATF published an open letter to gun dealers and the public. It says that, as a matter of enforcement discretion, the agency will no longer require approval under the National Firearms Act (NFA) to make or transfer suppressors, SBRs, SBSs and "any other weapons." It also will no longer require these items to be registered in the national NFA registry. The NFA itself has not been repealed.

Why this happened

Congress cut the NFA making and transfer tax to $0 for these items in 2025. In August 2026, a federal judge in Texas ruled that, without the tax, the NFA's registration and approval rules could not be enforced for these items. That ruling covered the people who sued. The ATF then chose to follow the same approach for everyone.

Which items are covered

• Suppressors (also called silencers) reduce the sound of a gunshot.
• Short-barreled rifles (SBRs) are rifles with a barrel shorter than 16 inches.
• Short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) are shotguns with a barrel shorter than 18 inches.
• Any other weapons (AOWs) are a catch-all group of certain firearms that do not fit the other categories, such as some pistol-grip shotguns.

What did not change

• Every buyer must still pass a background check and fill out a Form 4473.
• People who are prohibited from owning firearms still cannot buy these items.
• Machine guns and destructive devices keep every NFA rule, including ATF approval and the $200 tax.
• State and local laws are unchanged. Some states ban or limit suppressors and short-barreled guns. Many states allow these items only if they are registered under federal law, so an unregistered item may be illegal in your state even where a registered one is allowed. The ATF letter says dealers still cannot transfer a firearm where state or local law forbids it.
• If you travel across state lines with an SBR or SBS, the ATF letter still points to Form 20.
• Use caution before taking an unregistered NFA item into or through another state. Some states prohibit these items, and the ATF says it is unclear whether federal travel protections apply. Check the laws of every state on your route, or talk to a qualified attorney.
• The court did not block a separate federal law that requires the Attorney General's authorization before a dealer can sell an SBR or SBS. Right now, there is no way to get that authorization outside the NFA process. See "Are SBRs and SBSs handled any differently?" below.

Is the old paperwork gone?

Not entirely. The ATF says it will keep accepting Form 1, Form 3 and Form 4 applications on a voluntary basis. Whether to file is your choice. A registered item may be better protected if the rules change later (see "If the rules change, will my unregistered item be grandfathered?" below). If you are unsure, ask a qualified attorney.

What this means when you buy

For many buyers, the biggest change is the wait. The ATF is not currently enforcing the approval step that used to take weeks for these items, but whether you still wait depends on your dealer's process. Background checks and state rules still apply, so check your local laws before you order. We are updating our own ordering steps for these items. Follow the instructions shown at checkout.

Quick questions

Should I talk to my dealer first?

Yes. Impact Guns is ready to ship these items to your local dealer. Every dealer is handling these changes differently, and some may still require a Form 4 even though the ATF no longer does. Before you place an order, contact your dealer and ask which steps and forms they require, and what your state allows.

Do I still need a tax stamp?

The NFA tax on suppressors, SBRs, SBSs and AOWs is $0, and the ATF is not currently enforcing approval or registration for them. Machine guns and destructive devices are different. The $200 tax and every NFA rule still apply to them.

Does this change apply in every state?

No. This is a federal change. Each state and city sets its own rules, and some of them still restrict or ban these items. Some states allow these items only if they are registered under federal law. Check your state's rules before you buy.

Can I still file the old forms?

Yes. The ATF still accepts Forms 1, 3 and 4 if you choose to use them.

If the rules change, will my unregistered item be grandfathered?

Not automatically. Because the law itself has not changed, owning an unregistered item may still violate federal law even though the ATF is not enforcing it now. The ATF says federal law generally does not allow unregistered NFA items to be registered later, and there is no automatic grandfather protection. The Attorney General may choose to hold an amnesty of up to 90 days so people can register these items, but is not required to, and there is no guarantee one will be offered. That decision would be made when the court's order ends. If you want the protection of registration, the ATF still accepts Forms 1, 3 and 4 on a voluntary basis. Talk to your dealer or a qualified attorney about which option is right for you.

Are SBRs and SBSs handled any differently?

Yes. A separate federal law, the Gun Control Act, requires the Attorney General's authorization before a dealer can sell an SBR or SBS. That authorization used to come through the NFA approval process. The court blocked the NFA approval process, but it did not block this requirement. Right now, there is no way for a dealer to get that authorization outside the NFA process. The ATF says it is creating new forms and rules for a non-NFA approval process, and until those rules exist, it will not enforce this requirement. That is a temporary enforcement policy, not a change in the law, so dealers may handle SBRs and SBSs differently. Check with your dealer before you order.

Why might my dealer's process differ from the ATF announcement?

The ATF's change is an enforcement policy. The NFA itself has not been repealed, and court cases are still moving forward. Because of that, some dealers are choosing to keep extra steps in place to protect their customers and their licenses. A careful process is there to make sure your purchase is handled correctly.

I'm buying from your Ogden or Boise store. What do I need to do?

Please contact the store before you buy to find out the current requirements. Our stores follow a careful compliance process, and our staff will walk you through each step so your purchase is done right.

Where can I get legal advice?

This article explains an ATF announcement in plain language. It is not legal advice. Rules can change, so read the ATF's open letter and FAQ, and talk to a qualified attorney about your situation.

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