The Most Historic NFA Victory Of Our Lifetime (9/1/2026)

 9/1/2026

The Road To Today:

On August 5, 2026, Judge James Wesley Hendrix of the Northern District of Texas entered final judgment in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, consolidated with Jensen v. ATF. The groundwork for this victory was set in the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill. Gun Owners of America (GOA) had relentlessly lobbied for the inclusion of the SHORT Act (Short Barreled Rifles removal from the NFA) and Hearing Protection Act (Silencers removal from the NFA) into the final bill. With the finish line in sight, both provisions were thwarted by the Senate Parliamentarian (if you didn’t know that was a thing, join the club.) But GOA and supporters in congress were not about to quit. Instead of removal of silencers and SBRs from the NFA, they inserted a poison pill to the NFA by way of removal of the $200 fee to register silencers and SBRs. This was the defining moment in the battle. By removing the fee associated with the registration, the GOA coalition had laid the groundwork to prove in a Federal court that the NFA registration of these items was now an illegal gun registry. Roughly a year later in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, the court held that the leftover registration and approval scheme could no longer stand on Congress’s taxing power. The judge gave the DOJ one week to appeal the ruling and industry speculation asserts that the current administration directed them to stand down. The injunction went into effect on August 13th and is now in effect. Famous guntuber and Texas congressional candidate Brandon Herrera was one of the first individuals to receive a silencer without NFA registration in almost 100 years.

So there we were… As FFLs, both Shoot GTR and Lawful Defense found ourselves between a rock and a hard place. The firearm industry was screaming “VICTORY!!” and the ATF was absolutely mute. We waited a year for this victory but none of the rules we had followed for decades had been changed. 24 hours went by and the silence from the ATF was deafening. Not only was there no communication from the ATF but complete radio silence from our assigned Industry Operations Investigator (IOI) who is our go-to for all things regarding government standards and guidance. We were ready to join the industry victory lap and instead we decided the conservative approach was to confirm the temperature of the water before jumping in. 

On Friday August 21st, eight days after the initial appeal window closed, we received word that 4 FFLs that had already jumped in, had completed their ATF audits with zero violations. This was the “all clear” we were waiting for. We reached out to an FFL in Texas that was amongst the 4 audited FFLs and he confirmed the rumor. The ATF had audited his books and found the suppressors he had released to customers without registration were not in violation of federal law. It was go time! 

By the morning of Monday August 24th we had joined the Gun Owners of America as corporate members and constructed a game plan that included creating a written disclaimer for customers to sign. The disclaimer confirms that the customer is a member of the protected party and  states that there are still potential issues with the purchase of a silencer without NFA registration and questions that still do not have answers. We made the announcement on social media and opened the flood gates. Since last Monday we have been overwhelmed with a wave of excited customers ready to reap the rewards of this historic victory. 

What you should know:

This is not a repeal of the NFA and it is not nationwide. Silencers and short-barreled rifles are still NFA items on the statute books. Covered parties can take a silencer on a 4473 and NICS check. We are not transferring SBRs on a 4473 because a separate Gun Control Act rule still restricts dealer delivery of short-barreled rifles. Form 4 remains available. DOJ still has until October 5, 2026 to appeal.

The most recent word from ATF itself came from Director Robert Cekada on Friday August 29. He said ATF respects the court’s ruling, is following the order, and “will not take enforcement action against protected parties inconsistent with that ruling.” He also said formal guidance is being written and will be posted when it is done. Until that memo exists, we are operating on the court order, with protected GOA membership status, and a documented file showing customers have protected status and are informed.

What Now?:

Join GOA! That is not a side note. We believe the most reasonable way to sell a silencer without NFA registration is to the people the court actually covered. A current GOA membership puts the customer inside that protected group. Membership is only $25 a year! That’s a drop in the bucket for a year of inclusion under this injunction. Membership Link: https://alnk.to/cwWMajA

Get in the store and buy a silencer. We are selling through inventory fast, and new shipments are arriving every day. Can’t get to the store? Text us! We can answer questions, quote prices and send you a payment link to complete your purchase. Pickup is a breeze. I almost forgot to mention, starting today you also do not pay sales tax on your purchase. Don’t wait.