As of August 13, 2026, a federal court order from Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF (N.D. Texas) is in effect. The ATF is barred from enforcing NFA registration against Silencer Shop customers for suppressors (silencers) and AOWs — the biggest change to suppressor law since the NFA passed in 1934.

This FAQ covers what changed, who's covered, and how the purchase process works depending on where you live.

Covered:

Not covered:

Products must have originated from Silencer Shop or other named plaintiffs in the case.

Suppressors and AOWs from Silencer Shop are treated as GCA items — no Form 4 required.

State law still requires a Form 4 for suppressors and AOWs.

Suppressors are prohibited regardless of this ruling.

If you are in a free state and purchasing a suppressor or AOW that originated from Silencer Shop:

If you are in an NFA state, the standard Form 4 process still applies for suppressors and AOWs due to state law. This includes:

The $0 tax stamp still applies — Silencer Shop includes it automatically. For current ATF processing times, visit our ATF Wait Times page.

Short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns still require a Form 4 in all 42 legal states. This is a separate requirement under the Gun Control Act (GCA) — unaffected by this ruling. The Form 4 is currently the only form the ATF makes available for GCA approval on SBRs and SBSs. The $0 tax stamp still applies.

If you are in a free state and purchase a suppressor or AOW that originated from Silencer Shop, no — the court has barred the ATF from enforcing registration against you. Your name and information about the transfer will not go into any federal registry. In NFA states, state law still requires registration via Form 4.

Free states: No, for suppressors and AOWs from Silencer Shop. The Form 4 and the waiting that came with it no longer apply.
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​NFA states: Yes, state law still requires a Form 4 for suppressors and AOWs.
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​SBRs and SBSs: Yes, in all states. The ruling does not cover these items.

The tax stamp was already $0 as of January 1, 2026. The real change from this ruling is that the NFA registration behind it is now also gone for free state suppressor and AOW purchases from Silencer Shop. Silencer Shop still applies the $0 stamp automatically at checkout — you don't need to add anything.

Silencer Shop ships your suppressor to your selected dealer in a couple of days. Once it arrives, visit your dealer, complete a 4473, pass a NICS background check, and take your suppressor home — the same process as buying any standard firearm.

No membership required. If you purchase a suppressor or AOW that originated from Silencer Shop (online or through a Powered by dealer) in a free state, you are covered. If both you and your dealer are members of a co-plaintiff advocacy group such as GOA or FRAC, check with your advocacy group to understand how your membership may apply.

You would be purchasing under a federal court order barring the ATF from enforcing registration against Silencer Shop customers. This is an active legal matter and the landscape can change. For your specific situation, we recommend consulting an attorney. For the latest updates, visit ssf.org.

No. Machine guns and destructive devices are not covered by this ruling. They remain regulated under the NFA, and the $200 transfer tax still applies.

If you have a pending Form 4 in a free state, contact Silencer Shop support for guidance on how the ruling may affect your open order. For orders that have already been approved and transferred, no action is needed.

Customers in covered states may opt to file a Form 4 if they wish. This is handled at the local Powered by dealer level.

For the most current information on the ruling, visit ssf.org or follow Silencer Shop on social media.