ATF Drops NFA Approval for Suppressors, SBRs, SBSs and AOWs: What It Means for Maryland Gun Owners
Posted October 9, 2026 by Jerry Hauburger, MD HQL Training LLC
Today the ATF published an open letter to all federal firearms licensees and the public that changes how the National Firearms Act (NFA) is enforced for four categories of items: suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and "any other weapons" (AOWs). It is the biggest change to the NFA in decades. Here is what changed, what did not, and what it means if you live in Maryland.
How we got here
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act cut the federal making and transfer tax on suppressors, SBRs, SBSs and AOWs to $0. On August 5, 2026, a federal judge in the Northern District of Texas (Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF) ruled that with no tax left, the NFA's registration and approval requirements for those items could no longer stand under Congress's taxing power. That injunction only covered the plaintiffs in the case. Today's letter says the Department of Justice will apply the same approach to everyone.
What changed on October 9, 2026
No ATF approval required to make or transfer a suppressor, SBR, SBS or AOW.
No federal registration required in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record for those items.
Registration is now voluntary. ATF will still accept Form 1 (make), Form 3 and Form 4 (transfer) applications, and manufacturers can still file Form 2.
What did NOT change
The ATF letter lists five important limits. Read these before you buy, build or travel with anything.
Dealers and manufacturers still pay the special occupational tax for NFA items.
Machine guns and destructive devices are unchanged. The $200 tax and every NFA rule still apply to them.
The Gun Control Act still applies. Suppressors, SBRs, SBSs and AOWs are still "firearms" under federal law. That means a Form 4473 and a background check when you buy from a dealer, dealer recordkeeping, and prohibited persons still cannot possess them.
SBR and SBS travel rules still apply. ATF says to keep filing Form 20 before transporting an SBR or SBS across state lines, even if it is not registered. ATF is also writing new rules for how dealers can transfer SBRs and SBSs.
State and local laws are not affected. Many states only allow these items if they are registered under federal law.
What it means in Maryland
Short-barreled rifles and shotguns: Maryland Public Safety Article §5-203 makes it a crime to possess an SBR or SBS in Maryland unless it has been registered with the federal government. ATF no longer requires that registration, but Maryland law still does. If you live in Maryland, plan to keep filing a Form 1 or Form 4 for any SBR or SBS. ATF has said it will continue accepting them.
Suppressors: Maryland does not have its own suppressor permit, but federal background check and dealer recordkeeping rules still apply when you buy one. Rules are changing fast, so check with us before you buy and we will walk you through the current process.
Traveling: ATF warns that it is unclear whether federal safe-passage protection covers unregistered NFA items. Be very careful driving an unregistered item through any state that restricts it, even if it is legal where you start and where you end up.
How MD HQL Training can help
We are a licensed firearms dealer in Bowie and we handle FFL and NFA transfers. If you have a suppressor, SBR or SBS on order, or you are not sure what paperwork you still need, call or email before you buy and we will help you do it the right way.
Call 443-292-2273 or email mdhqltraining@gmail.com. You can also start a transfer on our FFL / NFA Transfers page.
Source: ATF Office of the Director, "Open Letter to All Federal Firearms Licensees and the Public Regarding the National Firearms Act Making and Transfer Requirements for Certain Firearms and Devices," October 9, 2026. Questions about the letter can go to ATF's Firearms Industry Programs Branch at fipb@atf.gov.
This post is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and your situation may be different. Talk to an attorney or local law enforcement about your specific circumstances.
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