Suppressors now transfer through licensed dealers with a Form 4473 and a background check, the same as any other firearm
B&T USA, a plaintiff in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, welcomed guidance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that applies the court's Aug. 5 ruling in the case nationwide. Under the guidance, ATF will no longer require federal approval or registration to transfer suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns.
On Aug. 5, U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix of the Northern District of Texas held that the National Firearms Act's registration and approval requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns exceed Congress' taxing power now that the federal making and transfer tax on those items is $0. The court entered a permanent injunction barring ATF and the Justice Department from enforcing those requirements against the plaintiffs and, where applicable, their members and customers. The Justice Department did not appeal, and the deadline to do so passed Oct. 5.
The guidance took effect Oct. 9 and also covers certain "any other weapons." While the court's injunction covers only those parties, ATF said it will take the same approach for everyone as a matter of enforcement discretion. "The direction from the President, Congress, and the courts is clear," ATF Director Robert Cekada said in announcing the guidance.
"B&T USA joined this case because the registration requirements for these products no longer rested on the authority Congress used to create them," said Sean Sullivan, founder of B&T USA. "The ATF's guidance takes that ruling nationwide. For buyers, that means a suppressor now moves through a dealer the same way any other firearm does, with a Form 4473 and a background check. This is one of the biggest changes for suppressor owners since the NFA became law in 1934, and we're proud to have helped make it happen."
B&T USA has spent the past year building for this moment. Since late 2025, the company has grown its 88,000-square-foot Herriman facility from three employees to more than 85, added a full in-house machine shop and brought design, machining, finishing, engraving and shipping under one roof. The facility can now produce up to 7,000 suppressors per month, and its lineup includes 3D-printed titanium suppressors and hybrid models that combine Inconel and titanium.
The guidance does not repeal the National Firearms Act. Machine guns and destructive devices remain fully regulated. Suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns are still firearms under the Gun Control Act, so background checks, dealer records and the ban on prohibited persons still apply. Transporting a short-barreled rifle or shotgun across state lines still requires ATF approval through a Form 20. State and local laws still apply. ATF has said its approach is a matter of enforcement discretion that could change. ATF also will continue to process registration applications for anyone who chooses to file them.
ATF's open letter and FAQ are available at www.atf.gov/firearms/update-to-nfa-transfer-guidance. Customers should review their state's laws and talk with their dealer before making a purchase. To find a B&T USA dealer, visit www.bt-usa.com/support/dealers. To learn about B&T USA, its suppressors and its full product offering, visit www.bt-usa.com.
About B&T USA: Founded in 2014, B&T USA is a premier designer and manufacturer of suppressors, firearms and related accessories. With facilities in Florida and Utah, the brand uses leading-edge technology to offer industry-leading suppressors and weapon systems designed to meet the demands of military personnel, law enforcement agencies, public safety professionals and firearm enthusiasts worldwide. For more information about B&T USA and its products, visit www.bt-usa.com.