First Unregistered Suppressor Purchase in 92 Years in USA
Image from Report by USCCA.
A Federal District Court in Texas recently ruled that ATF registration is no longer mandatory for purchases of suppressors (silencers) because Federal legislation eliminated the registration fee, effectively negating the need for paperwork. After the ATF declined to appeal the decision, this opened the door for Texas residents to acquire a suppressor without paying fees or filling out ATF paperwork.
Gun Owners of America (GOA), along with lead plaintiff Silencer Shop, made history on August 13, 2026 as GOA members Brandon Herrera and Wes Virdell lawfully acquired suppressors without filling out registration forms of the National Firearms Act of 1934 and without paying fees.
GOA, Silencer Shop, Herrera, and Virdell notified the Department of Justice and the ATF of their intent to complete the transfers without NFA registration. Because the DOJ and ATF did not object, Silencer Shop transferred the unregistered suppressors to Herrera and Virdell in accordance with all other applicable federal and state laws. The transfers took place at Silencer Shop’s storefront in Leander, Texas on August 13th. Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA-09) and GOA Senior V.P. Erich Pratt also attended.
Two consolidated lawsuits — Jensen v. ATF and Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF — had challenged the NFA’s regulation of now-untaxed suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns.
GOA spearheaded the repeal of a 1934 law regulating suppressors and short-barreled firearms in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The passage of this GOA-backed provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act paved the way for two lawsuits which culminated in a federal court order currently enjoining ATF enforcement of NFA registration requirements for suppressors and short-barreled firearms, and “any other weapons.”
This marks the first time since the NFA was enacted on June 26, 1934, that Americans lawfully acquired suppressors without federal registration. This was the first unregistered suppressor transfer in 92 years.
USCCA Report on Effect of Lawsuit
Historic First: Suppressor Transfer Completed Without a Form 4Just after midnight on August 13, the first suppressors in 92 years were lawfully transferred without an ATF Form 4 or NFA registration under the federal court’s injunction.
Who is eligible?
The ruling is not nationwide. The injunction protects the plaintiffs in the case and, where applicable, their current and future members and customers. That includes certain members of plaintiff organizations such as Gun Owners of America (GOA), as well as customers involved in covered transactions with plaintiff businesses, including Silencer Shop.
Eligibility also depends on state law and the specific firearm involved. Some states still require the traditional Form 4 process, and this ruling does not eliminate every federal firearms requirement. Buyers still must comply with applicable Gun Control Act requirements, including the required background-check process. READ MORE.
Similar Posts:
- Federal Court Blocks ATF Registration of Suppressors and SBRs
- Silencer Shop Makes It Easy to Acquire and Register Suppressors
- How to Acquire a Suppressor — $200 NFA Tax Eliminated in 2026
- Intro to Suppressors — How Silencers Work
- How to Legally Purchase and Register a Suppressor
Tags: ATF, National Firearms Act, NFA, Short-barreled Rifle, Suppressor, USCCA
