Starting January 1, 2026, the long-standing $200 National Firearms Act (NFA) tax stamp on suppressors (also called silencers) – as well as on short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and “Any Other Weapons” (AOWs) – has been eliminated, dropping to $0. This change is a direct result of the massive federal reconciliation bill signed into law in July 2025, commonly referred to as the One Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB).
What’s Changing, And What’s Not
What is changing:
- As of January 1, 2026, anyone applying to buy or make a suppressor (or other qualifying NFA item like an SBR) will no longer pay the $200 tax stamp previously required by federal law.
What isn’t changing:
- Suppressors and other NFA items remain regulated under the NFA. You still must:
- Submit the appropriate ATF form (e.g., Form 4 to transfer, Form 1 to manufacture),
- Undergo a federal background check,
- Provide fingerprints and a passport-style photo,
- Wait for approval before taking possession.
- The ATF’s registration system and all existing paperwork requirements are still in place.
- The $200 suppressor tax still applies to machine guns and destructive devices.
In short: The money barrier is gone, but the regulatory framework stays. Many advocates see this as a meaningful cost reduction, but not a full deregulation.
Why This Matters to Gun Owners and the Industry
Suppressor enthusiasts, hunters, and recreational shooters have long argued that the $200 tax stamp was an unnecessary financial hurdle, one that did little to improve public safety and often discouraged lawful ownership. While inflation has eroded the dollar’s value since the NFA was passed in 1934, the fee remained unchanged.
With the tax eliminated:
- Costs to acquire legal suppressors will be lower, effectively making hearing protection and quieter shooting more affordable.
- Demand for suppressors and other NFA items is expected to surge, which could lead to backlogs and longer approval times as ATF systems adapt.
- Dealers and manufacturers are already preparing for increased interest in early 2026.
For many in the firearm community, this policy shift feels like a step toward reducing bureaucratic burdens around responsible gun ownership, even if other requirements remain.
A Win, But Not a Complete Deregulation
It’s important to understand this change in context. Earlier iterations of legislation (including proposals like the Hearing Protection Act) aimed to completely remove suppressors from the NFA, eliminating both the tax and the registration requirements. A version of that idea passed the House but was ultimately stripped from the final reconciliation bill due to parliamentary rules.
Still, ending the $200 tax is a significant milestone. It’s the first time since the 1930s that the federal government has cut a direct cost associated with owning what many see as a safe, beneficial accessory.
Looking Ahead
For millions of Americans who lawfully own firearms, the elimination of the NFA tax on suppressors and related items is a historic development, one that lowers barriers, increases access to hearing protection, and represents a rare reduction in federal firearms costs. While it isn’t a full rewrite of the NFA regime, it’s a concrete change that will make a real difference for everyday shooters starting in 2026.
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