Big news out of the ATF on October 9, 2026. The agency has announced it will no longer enforce the requirement that individuals apply for and receive ATF approval before making or transferring short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, suppressors, and “any other weapons” (AOWs). It also says it won’t enforce the NFA’s registration, tax stamp, or related requirements for those items.
What hasn’t changed: Gun Control Act rules, including the Form 4473 and background check when you buy from a dealer, still apply. So do state and local laws. Illinois has its own rules, so don’t assume anything is legal here just because the federal paperwork is gone. ATF has also said this policy could change.
Read the full story at Rocket FFL: https://rocketffl.com/atf-nfa-non-enforcement/