What changed in 2026, in two parts
Part one, January 1, 2026: Congress reduced the federal NFA making and transfer tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and AOWs to zero. Registration was still required.
Part two, August 2026: In the consolidated Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF and Jensen v. ATF cases in the Northern District of Texas, the court held that NFA registration and approval requirements can't be enforced against covered parties for those zero-tax items. The injunction took effect August 13, 2026. It's party-limited, not universal. Details are in who is covered.
Step 1: Is a suppressor legal in your state?
Several states, including California, New York, New Jersey and Illinois, ban civilian suppressor ownership. A federal court order does not override state law. If your state bans them, stop here.
Step 2: Does your state still require NFA paperwork?
Some states tie legal suppressor ownership to federal NFA registration under state law. Buyers in those states generally still go through the Form 4 process, even with the injunction in place. States without that link are often called "free states" in current dealer guidance.
Step 3: Are you covered by the injunction?
Coverage depends on your relationship to the plaintiffs, such as membership in a covered organization or buying through a covered company. Confirm your status with our coverage guide and your dealer. Don't assume.
Step 4: Individual or trust?
This is the trap. When a trust or LLC owns the suppressor, the trust is the possessor, and a trustee's personal membership may not extend to it. Trust coverage was reported as unresolved in late August 2026. If you buy through a trust, the conservative path is to keep filing a Form 4. It costs nothing in tax now, and an approved registration protects you however the litigation ends.
Step 5: The transfer itself
| Your situation | Typical process (confirm with dealer) |
|---|---|
| Free state + covered + individual | Form 4473 + NICS at the dealer. Some dealers now transfer without a Form 4. |
| NFA-paperwork state | Form 4 with fingerprints and photo, zero-dollar stamp, then 4473 at pickup |
| Not covered, or trust purchase | Form 4 recommended or required |
| Ban state | Not available |
Retailers are handling this differently. Some have changed checkout flows for covered buyers and others haven't. Ask your retailer and transferring dealer which process they'll use before you pay.
Step 6: Pick the can
Once you know your process, the buying decision is the same as always: rifle, pistol or rimfire, plus your host's thread pitch. Start with your first suppressor and the thread pitch cheat sheet.
Rifle suppressors
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Pistol suppressors
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Rimfire suppressors
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What didn't change
- Prohibited persons still can't buy.
- Dealer transfers still require a 4473 and a background check.
- State bans and state paperwork rules still apply.
- Machine guns and destructive devices are unaffected.
- Short-barreled rifles and shotguns: some dealer guidance keeps them on a Form 4 because of a separate Gun Control Act approval requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still pay a tax stamp?
The federal making and transfer tax on suppressors was reduced to zero effective January 1, 2026. That change is separate from the August 2026 court ruling.
Does the August ruling apply to everyone?
No. The injunction is limited to the parties it covers, such as members of certain groups and customers of certain companies. Read our who-is-covered guide and confirm with your dealer.
Do I still do a background check?
Yes. Dealer transfers still involve a Form 4473 and a NICS background check under the Gun Control Act.
What if I buy through a trust?
Trust and LLC coverage under the injunction was reported as unresolved. Many sources recommend continuing to file Form 4s for trust purchases until it's clarified.
Keep reading
SuppressorReady earns a commission on some purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Availability and pricing change often — always confirm on the retailer's page. Firearms ship only to a licensed dealer (FFL); you are responsible for complying with all federal, state and local laws. Nothing here is legal advice. Suppressor, short-barreled rifle and short-barreled shotgun law is changing quickly in 2026 and differs by state. Several states ban civilian suppressor ownership. Verify current federal and state law, and your coverage status under any court order, before buying. Nothing here is legal advice.