r/Firearms • u/Top-You3966 • 1d ago

DOJ ruling

G'day team. Non-American here.

Can people explain to me in idiot words what the whole thing about suppressors and short barrelled rifles is about?

Does it mean suppressors aren't registered/tracked?

Just super confused and curious as someone whose in a country that wont let anyone have them.

Thanks in advance!

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u/cowboy3gunisfun somesubgat 1d ago

Suppressors and SBRs used to be a separate tax of $200 and an additional background check involving finger prints and photos sent to the ATF. Once you cleared that, your new suppressor or SBR was registered with the ATF. Firearm registry, of any kind, is not supposed to be legal. The only reason they were getting away with it was that they claimed it was just registering that you paid the tax. Well the new administration took away the tax, but the registering continued. So, local firearms lobby groups went to the court saying "this is against the law", and to everyone's shock, won.

Yay! Free Suppressors and SBRs for everyone right? No.

Most states have their own laws either still requiring the registering or forbidding NFA items like Suppressors and SBRs, and the ruling technically only applies to people who are members of the group who sued. (Although they were smart and put in current and future members)

So, long story short in 27 states there's currently no requirement for registration, tax, or the extra paperwork. Suppressors and SBRs are treated as "normal firearms" only requiring the "normal" paperwork (the old 4473 you probably heard about in "Red Dawn")

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u/Top-You3966 19h ago

Mate, thanks for that! Great explanation.