What Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" Really Means for NFA Items
Posted Jul 6, 2025
On July 4, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed what he called the “One Big Beautiful Bill” into law—a sweeping tax and spending package with a very specific and long-awaited victory for the firearms community: the elimination of the $200 NFA tax stamp on items like suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and AOWs (Any Other Weapons).
So what exactly changes? And what doesn’t? Let’s break it down.
What the Bill Actually Does
- Eliminates the $200 tax stamp fee for all NFA items (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs).
- This change takes effect January 1, 2026.
- No more checks or payments sent to the ATF with your Form 1 or Form 4.
That’s it—and yes, that’s huge.
What Stays the Same
While this is a big win for your wallet, it doesn’t overhaul the entire NFA process. The following remains unchanged:
- You still have to file a Form 1 (for building) or Form 4 (for transferring).
- You still need to submit fingerprints, a photo, and background check.
- You still wait months for ATF approval.
- Suppressors, SBRs, and other NFA items are still regulated under the NFA.
In short: The tax is gone. The red tape is not.
Why This Still Matters
Even though the process remains bureaucratic, removing the $200 stamp tax means:
- First-time buyers save big—especially when trying out their first suppressor or shorty build.
- Dealers and manufacturers may see more volume, as the barrier to entry just dropped.
- Collectors and hobbyists can expand their NFA collections without shelling out hundreds in extra fees.
And make no mistake—this is the first rollback of the NFA since 1934. A historic moment.
What’s Next?
Many pro-2A groups are already calling this a stepping stone to greater reform:
- Future bills may push to fully deregulate suppressors and SBRs.
- Legal challenges to the NFA’s constitutionality could follow.
- Gun rights organizations like GOA, NRA, and SAF are gearing up for the next phase.
This tax repeal is a win—but it’s not the finish line.
Final Thoughts
Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” might not dismantle the NFA, but it knocks a major chunk out of it. Eliminating the tax is a huge financial relief, and a symbolic win for the 2A community.
But don’t get it twisted—you still have to deal with the full ATF approval process. Until we see full deregulation, the paperwork nightmare remains.
Still, one less hurdle is worth celebrating.
Want an SBR or suppressor? Starting 2026, you’ll save $200 on every one.
