Suppressors Out of the NFA? The House Says Yes—Thanks to Gun Owner Pressure
A major step forward for gun rights just passed the U.S. House of Representatives, and it's a direct result of grassroots action.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—yes, that’s the actual name—was introduced with a modest provision to repeal the $200 federal tax stamp on suppressors. But it didn’t stop there. Thanks to the loud and unwavering voices of gun owners across the country, that limited measure was transformed into a full-blown removal of suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).
From Half-Measure to Full Deregulation
Let’s rewind: the original version of the bill simply scrapped the outdated and punitive tax on suppressors. That would have been a small victory, especially for new buyers tired of shelling out extra cash just for the right to protect their hearing.
But the firearms community recognized that repealing the tax without addressing the underlying NFA bureaucracy was like unlocking the door but keeping the bars in place. There were also rumors that certain firearm or suppressor manufacturers or advocates were advocating against the idea of removing suppressors from the NFA.
So gun owners pushed back. Hard.
Through coordinated advocacy, countless calls to lawmakers, and constant pressure from organizations and individuals alike, the bill was amended to do what it should have done in the first place: completely remove suppressors from the NFA.
THANK YOU to our members, supporters, & 2A allies who helped make suppressor deregulation a reality in the House.
This is a huge win for gun owners—and worth celebrating.👏
Next: Let's get the SHORT Act added in the Senate & send it to President Trump’s desk.🔥 pic.twitter.com/qOocqJlktp
— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) May 22, 2025
What the House-Passed Bill Would Do
If passed into law, the bill would:
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Eliminate the $200 federal tax stamp on suppressor purchases.
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Remove suppressors from NFA regulation, ending the requirement for fingerprints, registration, and lengthy wait times.
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Allow suppressors to be purchased like any other firearm, with a standard background check and no additional red tape.
This is a practical, pro-freedom move that acknowledges suppressors for what they are—hearing protection devices, not Hollywood props.
But It’s Not Law Yet
Let’s be clear: this bill has passed the House. That’s big. But it still has to get through the U.S. Senate, where the path forward is less certain.
Some lawmakers are already crying foul, leaning on the usual fear-mongering and misinformation about what suppressors actually do. The fight isn’t over—it’s just moved to the next round.
Your Voice Helped Get Us This Far. Now Let’s Finish the Job.
This is a textbook example of what happens when gun owners refuse to settle. The initial bill offered crumbs, but collective pressure turned it into something much more meaningful. That’s worth celebrating.
Now it’s time to keep the momentum going. Contact your senators. Tell them you support the full deregulation of suppressors and demand they vote yes when the bill hits the Senate floor.
Freedom isn’t self-maintaining. But when we show up, speak out, and stay engaged, we win.
My concern is that so many states still only allow suppressors IF they have been registered via the NFA. What is being done to fix that. Do we have to fight it state by state, or can we get a federal pre-emption law in place to nullify those state laws.
The “big beautiful bill” effectively ends the NFA’s bureaucracy regarding suppressors. Now it will be exactly like buying a firearm, I believe. The regular FBI background check is all that’s required- so if you’re able to buy guns now, you’ll be able to buy suppressors for them if/when this bill passes the Senate & is signed by President Trump. What that will do is alleviate the federal laws pertaining to suppressors leaving only the state by state regs. I found a list detailing each applicable law for each state (if they are legal). Keep in mind that the state’s may have competing legislation that doesn’t fully jibe with federal law (once this passes). Many states ban suppressors completely & that would be even if you had the tax stamp, could buy fully-auto, a state like Hawaii they will likely remain a no-go. Meaning federal law might allow it but state law might not. So here is a link to each state’s listings- it’s off a suppressor dealer’s site. https://www.silentaf.us/suppressor-friendly-states
Hope it passes, I’m chomping at the bits to grab a couple. I also read somewhere that a .45 suppressor also CAN fit a 9mm, .40 & .380 while for files a .30 cal can be used across .556/.223, .308 and possibly a couple other calibers.
Good questions and I guess we’ll find out IF they get removed from the NFA.
A long time in coming but THANKYOU 😁
most likley it will be state by state. I still have to leave my CC at home when going to places that have CC restrictions. Or risk jail just having them, being transported like in Md where I visit. Worse if I ever used it….even in defending a lawman.
Suppressors are still illegal in Illinois. This is a fight that must be fought in each state. Most states allow suppressors, so in the handful of states where they are illegal we must continue to fight to make them legal.
I just looked at the suppressor law by state and it says they are Illegal in Illinois. Are they accurate?
Thanks
That is accurate. Relevant laws: 720 ILCS 5/24-1(a)(6). See also 520 ILCS 5/2.33(s)
If it is determined in appropriate language that possession and ownership of a suppressor is CONSTITUTIONAL in regard to firearms, NO STATE can lawfully maintain a code forbidding suppressors. A thing is either constitutional or it is not. If a code demonstrates the lawfulness which is equal to say the Constitutional statement of suppressors being handled as a lawful firearm accessory, it would violate a person’s civil rights for a state to say otherwise. USC Title 18 Sec 242 advises that ANYONE who while under color of law violates a persons Constitutional Rights, has in fact committed a crime against that person.
I applaud the work that has been done by organizations like yours, but there could be backdoor regulations that actually make things worse for residents in vulnerable states.
States like CT have wording that allows ownership to the effect “if Federally approved”. If these items are removed from the NFA, then there is no Federal approval, and I see CT, CA, and others adding them to their states “Ban List”.
Having a tax stamp, even a ZERO-Dollar tax stamp, would negate that from happening. I realize that leaves the door open to adding back a fee at a later date (Like when the next Dem President is elected), but I feel it’s worth the risk to save accessibility.
I also know that there is a period that the law change would allow owners to recover the cost of their recently acquired stamp. I for one would rather buy a suppressor now, pay the stamp, have the papers in hand, and get a refund. This way I have proof that my purchase was made before the change and I am “Grandfathered” in no matter what happens after.
Get ready for a rush to buy at your local retailer…. just my unsolicited 2%
“If federally approved” If they are purchased on a Federal Form 4473 like any other firearm, then they are ipso facto “federally approved.” The issue would be if your state specifically “un-approves” them afterward.
biden made it law that no one can sell a firearm even to a family member or anyone , does a silencer that i have to fill out a 4473 to buy fall under that rule? (fyi:) i have a nfa for silencers license and i am a ffl gun dealer. thus i think only us that are ffl dealers that must use a 4473 will only be able to sell. or what is your thoughts? thak you
Biden didn’t make any laws and while he was president Congress didn’t pass any such law either. Perhaps you are thinking of some sort of administrative rule but if so it was never enforced and if it was a thing it would have been rolled back by Trump’s administration by now.
It would be great to live in a state where at least one Senator was likely to support this. However, here in Georgia we are “blessed” with Warnock (aka Warlock) and Ossoff (aka Assoff). Neither of these two POSs can be swayed no matter how many letters or phone calls they get.
There is nothing in the bill that states the NFA would no longer apply to suppressors, so this is false.
If that did happen, suppressors will suddenly become illegal in many states that allow them now. Be careful what you wish for.
Frankly, I don’t see any need or benefit from requiring even a background check for a transfer. That seems to actually serve no more purpose than requiring a background check on ammunition purchases. The items are obviously not “firearms” in any sense.
If this should pass, would that make home production without any registration legal…from scratch or maybe from some type of “80%” kit (like the already available undrilled “fuel line sediment traps”)? The cost of commercial cans now is absurd relative to their simplicity, so I can see why some manufacturers might oppose losing their profitable monopolies.
Not if it’s federal law, suppressors are an accessory, and the NFA as with all national (federal) gun laws are unconstitutional because they only affect the law abiding, the 2 A must be treated as a hands off Amendment, stating no government has any authority to involve themselves in Gun Laws of any kind, if the laws don’t affect the criminals, then they automatically become an infringement, which must be regarded as unconstitutional and null and void…