The $200 NFA transfer tax for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and any other weapons as defined by the NFA has been eliminated, leading to a surge in demand for these items.
On January 1, many provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act officially took effect, including the repeal of the $200 transfer tax on some items restricted by the National Firearms Act.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has acknowledged an unprecedented surge in e-Forms submissions that is slowing system performance. On January 1 alone, ATF processed approximately 150,000 e-Forms, compared to a typical daily volume of around 2,500 — a 60-times uptick.
You’ll still need to complete the ATF Form 4 and pass a background check—none of that goes away for now, but several groups are challenging the need for registrations in court.
However, the $200 payment that’s been required since the 1930s is out the door for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and AOWs (any other weapons).
As a result of this volume, ATF is experiencing intermittent IT system glitches and delays that are affecting stores nationwide. ATF has emphasized that it is actively working to address these technical issues.
An NSSF statement said, “We have communicated our concerns directly to ATF and underscored the importance of restoring system stability and reliability as soon as possible. ATF has acknowledged the urgency and reiterated its commitment to resolving the issues.
“In the meantime, we encourage retailers to document issues as they occur and to work directly with ATF when problems arise, as this information helps identify and correct systemic challenges.”
NSSF said much of the current disruption stems from outdated and under-resourced IT infrastructure. Congressional support for IT modernization is essential to improving system reliability and preventing similar disruptions in the future.
SilencerCo, a major suppressor maker, said in a statement, “It’s a massive win for the NFA community and a long-overdue step toward normalizing these legally owned tools.”
SilencerCo added, “When costs drop and barriers fall, people act. We expect to see a wave of new suppressor buyers entering the market. As with past moments of NFA reform or panic buying, some models may sell out quickly.”
