ATF’s October 9, 2026 open letter announces an enforcement policy for short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, silencers, and “any other weapons” whose NFA making and transfer taxes were reduced to $0. ATF says it will no longer require NFA approval or registration for those items, while continuing to accept voluntary NFA forms. The policy does not remove Gun Control Act background-check and recordkeeping duties, applicable special occupational taxes, restrictions for machineguns or destructive devices, or state and local requirements. ATF advises checking local law before possession or transport. Read the official letter for the full scope and limits.
ATF says it will not enforce specified NFA making and transfer approval, registration, and tax-stamp requirements for short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, silencers, and certain other weapons. This is an enforcement policy, not a repeal. ATF says Gun Control Act requirements, including Form 4473, applicable NICS checks, and transaction records, continue to apply. State and local restrictions also remain relevant.
In an August 28, 2026 open letter, ATF says a registered complete silencer may be repaired or have its caliber changed without a new NFA “making” when the work does not destroy or alter its serialized frame or receiver, change required markings, or create a new firearm. The letter discusses replacement parts and warns that altering the serialized component may trigger different requirements. This guidance addresses modifications to registered silencers; ATF’s later October 9 letter separately addresses its enforcement policy for certain $0-tax NFA items. Read both official letters before relying on either policy.
The Department of Justice published a final rule setting criteria and a process for individuals to seek relief from federal firearms disabilities under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c). The rule became effective September 21, 2026, when DOJ began soliciting applications. Relief is not automatic: DOJ evaluates whether an applicant is likely to act dangerously and whether granting relief is contrary to the public interest. The official notice directs applicants to DOJ’s firearms-rights-restoration information for application details.
ATF withdrew its May 6, 2026 direct final rule on licensee eZ Check verification for transfers after receiving adverse comments. The withdrawal took effect July 6, 2026, so that direct final rule did not become operative. ATF said it may pursue a future proposal addressing the comments. Dealers should not treat the withdrawn rule as a current requirement.
ATF proposed clarifying the statutory exemption and relief available for NFA firearms manufactured for the U.S. Government. Its proposal would permit qualified manufacturers to register such firearms after the usual registration period if they later fall out of a government contract. This is a proposed rule, not an effective new registration procedure. The notice’s comment period closed September 4, 2026.
ATF proposed allowing a copy of photo identification in place of passport-style photographs for specified firearms applications. It also proposed generally reducing fingerprint-card submissions for individuals and Gun Control Act responsible persons to one card, with an NFA responsible person card required only when needed for a background check. This is a proposal, not a change to current application requirements. The notice’s public comment deadline was October 5, 2026.
The Federal Register published a technical correction to ATF’s May 6, 2026 rule on approving an NFA making application. The correction changes the authority citation printed in the rule; it does not announce a separate new application process. Readers should use the corrected rule text when reviewing the May rule.
ATF proposed allowing spouses to submit a joint application to make, receive or transfer, and register an NFA firearm. If approved under the proposal, both spouses would have joint possession rights, and moving the firearm between the registered spouses would not require another transfer application. This is a proposal, not a current joint-registration option created by the notice. Comments closed July 7, 2026.
An ATF final rule effective June 10, 2026 aligned NFA tax regulations with the statutory $0 making and transfer tax for silencers, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and certain other weapons; machineguns and destructive devices retain the $200 tax. The May rule addressed tax remittance and said other application and registration requirements remained. ATF’s later October 9, 2026 open letter announced a separate enforcement policy on approval and registration for the $0-tax items. Read both sources for the current federal policy and its limits.
ATF proposed expanding non-over-the-counter transfers to eligible same-state buyers who do not appear in person, beyond currently permitted background-check-exempt transactions. The proposal includes remote identity proofing, compliance with background checks, and electronic notices to chief law enforcement officers. It is not an effective authorization for new remote sales. Comments closed August 6, 2026.
ATF proposed regulations that would expressly allow FFLs to generate, maintain, and store required firearms records electronically, with common standards for accessibility, integrity, and secure long-term storage. ATF notes that existing rulings already permit certain electronic A&D and Form 4473 records. This proposal would consolidate and modernize those policies; it is not a final rule. Comments closed August 6, 2026.