ATF Suspends Federal Registration for Certain Firearms

Gun owners will no longer need federal registration or advance approval for manufacturing or transferring silencers, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and ‘Any Other Weapons’ (AOWs). This change follows an announcement by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on Friday.

The ATF’s directive halts enforcement of the National Firearms Act (NFA) for items with zero-dollar tax rates under new guidelines. ATF Director Robert Cekada highlighted a federal court decision invalidating key NFA provisions related to manufacturing and transfer.

‘The direction from the President, Congress, and the courts is clear,’ said Cekada. ‘ATF is now adjusting our enforcement posture while focusing on combatting violent crime in American communities.’

This policy change is linked to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which reduced NFA manufacturing and transfer taxes to $0 for silencers, short-barreled rifles, shotguns, and AOWs. Following these legislative changes, a Texas federal judge issued an injunction in August. The judge noted that since Congress eliminated the underlying tax, NFA’s mandatory registration and transfer provisions couldn’t be justified under Congress’s taxing power. Initially, the ruling applied only to plaintiffs, but the Justice Department later extended its non-enforcement policy nationwide.

John Commerford, Executive Director of the National Rifle Association (NRA), called the announcement a historic milestone, stating, ‘This shows what happens when all branches of government follow the Constitution. The Trump administration has confirmed it will stop treating law-abiding Americans like they need special permission for hearing protection, rifles, or shotguns.’

Although specific NFA requirements and fees are suspended, all transactions must comply with the Gun Control Act. Licensed dealers are required to perform standard background checks and keep transaction records. Machine guns and destructive devices remain subject to NFA requirements, and federal approval is necessary for transporting short-barreled rifles and shotguns across state lines.

The ATF noted it will still accept voluntary registrations from owners wishing to document their items. Future legal changes might reinstate previous regulations without automatic grandfathering protection.