Locked & Loaded: Industry News
Your quick brief on what’s shaking in the world of firearms.
What Just Happened?
BBB Eliminates NFA Tax on Select Items
Much to the joy of second amendment supporters all over our big, beautiful country, Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” made some ground. While we didn’t get EXACTLY what we thought we would in the beginning, removing SBRs (Short barreled rifles), SBS (Short Barreled Shotguns) and AOW (Any Other Weapon) and suppressors from the NFA tax oppression of $200 is definitely going to spice things up a bit in shorty and suppressor sales.
What does this mean exactly?
H.R. 1 contained 940 pages of budget and tax information and a small portion of it was a huge win for 2A supporters. While it didn’t remove suppressors from NFA completely, it did remove the requirement to pay $200 to the government for a suppressor or to own a short-barreled rifle or shotgun or an AOW is moving the needle in the right direction. Machine guns and destructive devices will still be taxed as per usual and all the above still require the mandatory fingerprinting and background check. To clarify, the BBB does NOT mean you can now start cutting barrels on your old 870’s or swapping braces for stocks on your pistol AR’s in the basement without telling anyone. The process is the same, but the cost is eliminated.
At this time, the official legal date for this to take effect is January 1, 2026 although there has been some rumor that Trump could sign it in sooner. There are at least two coalitions that are pushing the ATF to remove the NFA altogether, but that is an ongoing process.
What Should I do Now?
The world of SBS, SBR’s, AOW’s, and suppressors is at your fingertips. It’s time to start thinking about how to modify some of the PCC and AR pistols you have in the safe. As always, seek the help of a qualified armorer if you aren’t ready to do these modifications yourself. Bud’s Gun Shop staff is always around for questions or to help guide you to the proper stock kit or upper to make your short-barreled dreams come true.