--- title: "ATF ‘Will Not Enforce’ Federal Suppressor Approvals, Effectively Deregulating Silencers" description: "The ATF issued guidance on suppressor deregulation, announcing it would not enforce Form 4 federal requirements" date: "2026-10-12" modified: "2026-10-12" authors: - name: "Natalie Krebs" job_title: "Executive Editor" link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/natalie-krebs.md" url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/atf-deregulates-suppressors/" categories: - "Guns" tags: - "Evergreen" - "News" --- # ATF ‘Will Not Enforce’ Federal Suppressor Approvals, Effectively Deregulating Silencers ![A suppressor in the foreground with a blurred natural background]() *\Photo by Natalie Krebs\  * The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives [announced]() it would not enforce longstanding federal requirements for suppressor transfers on Friday. The agency’s guidance [follows several months]() of uncertainty after a Texas judge [effectively deregulated suppressors from the NFA]() for a select group of gun owners in August. While the ATF director [said last month]() the agency wouldn’t consider suppressor transfers under the terms of the ruling a violation of the NFA, the ATF’s guidance is clear the agency is allowing the ruling to apply to all Americans who are qualified to transfer a regular firearm. In other words, under federal law, the Form 4 is no longer required for suppressor transfers. Instead, a standard 4473 form — the same one that you use to transfer a firearm at a gun shop — can be used for same-day and over-the-counter suppressor purchases. “Under ATF’s guidance, ATF will not enforce the requirements for individuals to apply and receive ATF approval before making or transferring short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, suppressors (silencers), and certain other concealable firearms known in the law as ‘any other weapons,’ the agency wrote in [a press release]() issued on Oct. 9. “ATF also will not enforce the NFA’s registration, tax-stamp or related requirements for those covered items. The $200 tax remains in place for machine guns and destructive devices. The NFA requirements apply in full to those weapons.” Because many states still require federal NFA transfers to ensure suppressors are legal there, the ATF will continue to process Form 4 applications. These are not required for federal suppressor compliance, but will be necessary for residents of the 15 states that currently require federal approval. “\[ATF\] guidance does not supersede state and local laws that restrict NFA firearms,” according to the ATF. “Because many state laws require individuals to register NFA firearms, ATF will continue to process NFA applications that are submitted. The guidance also does not affect the Gun Control Act’s requirement to obtain ATF approval before transporting short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns in interstate commerce. Individuals may obtain that approval by filing a Form 20, whether or not the item is registered under the NFA.” These lingering issues with state laws conflicting with federal deregulation is one reason gun industry groups like the National Shooting Sports Foundation are advocating for national legislation to deregulate suppressors. ![A map showing the 15 states with suppressor restrictions for NFA compliance]() *The 15 states, indicated in red, have some sort of state law on the books that require NFA compliance for suppressor transfers. *Courtesy Silencer Central** “The really big benefit to the Hearing Protection Act is it would get rid of some of these state issues. It makes it clear at a state level,” Silencer Central’s CEO Brandon Maddox [told *Outdoor Life* last week](). “Because there’s a lot of pissed-off people in the 15 states \[that require National Firearm Act compliance for suppressor purchases\] that are like ‘hey, you guys get to play in this new game and we don’t? That’s not fair.'” **Related:** [Not Seeking ‘Revenge,’ DOJ Lets Current Over the Counter Suppressor Sales Go Unchallenged]() An act of Congress like the HPA would also help prevent a future administration from undoing the current basis for the Texas ruling. That court decision is based on taxation power related to the NFA suppressor stamp dropping from $200 to $0 — not Second Amendment rights. The ATF also issued an open letter to FFLs and the public, [which you can read here.]() ## Author Natalie Krebs is the Executive Editor of *Outdoor Life*, where she tackles everything from reporting digital features to producing podcast episodes. Originally from Missouri, she currently lives in northwest Arkansas with her bird dog, Hatchet. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [LinkedIn]()