For nearly a century, the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) has stood as the cornerstone of federal gun control. It was the first federal law to impose limitations on firearm ownership, requiring Americans to pay a $200 tax — the equivalent of nearly $5,000 today — register, and undergo an intrusive application process just to own common firearms and accessories like suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), and shotguns (SBSs).
This wasn’t a minor fee. At the height of the Great Depression, $200 was intentionally set to price the average American out of owning these items, effectively creating a ban without passing one.
On paper, it was sold as a tax measure. In practice, it’s been weaponized as a tool of control. For decades, unelected bureaucrats at the ATF have exploited the NFA to impose regulations that Congress never voted on, turning law-abiding Americans into felons with the stroke of a pen.
The most recent example? The ATF’s pistol brace rule which reclassified millions of braced pistols as SBRs overnight. Despite three federal courts blocking the rule, the ATF still claims those firearms fall under the NFA.
Enough is enough.
The Lawsuit & The Bigger Picture
The Silencer Shop Foundation (SSF), along with heavyweights like Palmetto State Armory, GOA, SilencerCo, and others, is spearheading a direct legal challenge to the NFA. Their mission is simple yet bold: to dismantle the unconstitutional parts of this nearly 100-year-old law and permanently remove suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs from its scope.
This isn’t just about one lawsuit. It’s part of a growing national movement that includes lawmakers like Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), who recently introduced federal legislation to repeal the NFA and abolish the ATF. Burlison has a proven track record of advancing pro-2A laws—he sponsored Missouri’s Stand Your Ground, Constitutional Carry, and the Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA), which bans state agencies from helping enforce unconstitutional federal gun laws.
As Burlison put it:
“The federal government has manipulated the National Firearms Act for nearly a century to strip Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. Unelected bureaucrats at the ATF have weaponized the NFA as a tool to criminalize millions of responsible gun owners. The time has come to dismantle this unconstitutional regime and restore our fundamental freedoms.”
The Immediate Aftermath: What Day One Could Look Like
Let’s be clear: this fight won’t be won overnight. But if SSF and its partners succeed in court, or if repeal legislation passes, here’s what gun owners can expect:
- No More Tax Stamps – The $200 “privilege fee” disappears. Buy a suppressor, SBR, or SBS just like you would a rifle or handgun.
- No More ATF Registry – No fingerprints, no CLEO notification, no Form 4 approval process.
- No More Wait Times – The year-long backlog for suppressor approvals? Gone.
- No More Rule-by-Decree – Bureaucrats won’t be able to criminalize millions of gun owners with arbitrary rule changes.
It would be the single most significant expansion of gun rights in the last century, eliminating one of the government’s biggest levers for chilling lawful ownership.
Industry Shockwaves: Suppressors and SBRs for Everyone
Think about what happened when the AR-15 became affordable and widely available. Prices dropped, innovation exploded, and we entered a golden age of rifle parts and customization. The same will happen with NFA-regulated items:
- Suppressors Become Standard – Instead of being a “luxury item,” suppressors will be as common as optics or lights.
- Short-Barreled Rifles Go Mainstream – Factory SBRs and braced pistols won’t live in a legal gray area. Expect new designs and innovation from manufacturers who no longer fear federal entanglement.
- New Jobs & Economic Growth – A post-NFA market means more production, more FFL sales, and more money going to American businesses instead of Washington bureaucracy.
State-Level Challenges: The Fight Won’t End Here
Winning at the federal level won’t end the battle. Some states will cling to their own suppressor and SBR bans, and SSF is already preparing to take that fight state by state. Expect:
- Targeted lawsuits against states that refuse to comply with constitutional precedent
- Legislative pushes to repeal outdated state-level bans
- Grassroots education campaigns to mobilize gun owners in hostile jurisdictions
The fight will move from Washington, D.C. to your state capital, and SSF is already planning for that next phase.
Cultural Shift: Normalizing Responsible Ownership
When suppressors and SBRs are treated like any other firearm, the entire conversation around gun ownership changes. Expect:
- Demystify suppressors for non-gun owners
- Reduce noise complaints and range closures
- Improve hearing safety for shooters and hunters
- Strengthen the perception of lawful gun owners as responsible citizens
Your Role in This Fight
This fight is already underway, and your involvement matters. The Silencer Shop Foundation can’t do this alone. They’re already funding litigation, lobbying Congress, and rallying industry partners, but the grassroots piece is critical.
Here’s how to get involved:
- Donate – 100% of your contribution goes directly to lawsuits and advocacy.
- Round Up at Checkout – Every penny helps fund the next legal push.
- Educate Others – Share updates, correct misconceptions, and bring new people into the conversation.
Final Thoughts
This is our best chance in nearly 100 years to strip the NFA of its power and put the ATF back in its box. A victory here would mark a generational shift for the Second Amendment; one that your kids and grandkids will thank you for.
The time to get involved is now. Support the Silencer Shop Foundation, back lawmakers willing to repeal bad law, and help make “shall not be infringed” mean what it was always meant to mean.
Visit silencershopfoundation.org, get involved, and be part of the generation that put the NFA where it belongs—on the ash heap of history.
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