ATF drops federal approval and registration for suppressors and short-barreled firearms

Judge James Wesley Hendrix of the Northern District of Texas ruled on Aug 5 that registration and tax provisions for suppressors and short-barreled firearms under the National Firearms Act were unconstitutional without a tax, a decision that initially applied only to the plaintiffs in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF. The Department of Justice declined to appeal, and on Oct 9 the ATF released new guidance, authorized by Attorney General Todd Blanche, stating it will no longer require individuals to seek ATF approval or register such items under the NFA.

ATF Director Robert Cekada explained the agency is extending the ruling’s protections to all law-abiding Americans to safeguard Second Amendment rights. The guidance also notes that states retaining their own registration requirements will continue to be respected, and ATF will accept voluntary state filings to maintain commerce. This policy shift removes a federal barrier for owners of silencers and short-barreled weapons nationwide.