One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Implications to ATF & Suppressor Waiting Time
As of July 4th, 2025 the Big Beautiful Bill passed, which among many things, included the revocation of the $206 Tax Stamp on both suppressors and short-barreled rifles (SBRs).
The caveat to this revocation is that the $206 Tax Stamp is still in effect until January 1, 2026. Additionally, any Form 4 submitted before January 1, 2026 will still require the tax stamp at the $206 value.
While this change, included in the House’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1), is a monumental step toward simplifying suppressor ownership for law-abiding Americans, many don’t think it goes far enough. LMT Advanced Technologies supports the groups involved or planning involvement in court litigation to remove suppressors & short-barreled firearms from the National Firearms Act (NFA), but while this action takes place in the court system, many are unsure how this will affect approval times in 2026.
What’s This Mean for Suppressor Buyers?
- Lower Cost of Suppressor Ownership
- Every suppressor purchased after January 1, 2026 will cost you $206 less
- Surge in Suppressor Demand
- When costs and the barriers/requirements of ownership of any item drop, the demand increases while the supply of the product decreases until the respective industry can react to catch up to new demand levels
- ATF Processing Slow Down
- Tax Stamp cost is going away, but so are many of the people processing your paperwork, which we’ll expand on below
In the year 2024, ATF approval times for suppressor ownership went from a wait time of anywhere to 6-12 months, to under 14 days on average, despite a 2.8% reduction in budget for the 2024 fiscal year, which was then sustained in 2025 under a full-year continuing resolution.
With the Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 proposed budget released in May, 2025 including a 29% percent reduction to the agency’s budget, many in the industry are concerned this slash in the ATF’s budget will negatively affect suppressor & SBR (Form 4) approval wait times.
Some are even forecasting that this shift will bring wait times back to the days of early 2024 when approval times could be as long as a year’s time.
What’s This Mean for Suppressor Buyers?
Based on years of experience, our relationships and network with retail LMT AT partners, and end customers alike we think there are two clear options on moving forward.
- Buy Now
- If you want a suppressor in your hand now, order your suppressor now before demand surges and wait times shoot up
- While you’re still paying the $206 tax, you’re taking advantage of the historically low ATF Form 4 approval times
- Wait & Watch for Incentives
- See if any local or nationwide dealers/distributors are offering any incentives or free tax stamp promotion
At LMT Advanced Technologies, we’ve always believed that responsible firearm ownership should be met with innovation—not red tape. This change to the Tax Stamp is a step in the right direction, but more can still be done & that’s why we’re working to make suppressor ownership as easy as possible.
Whether you’re ready to file for your LMT-AT ION suppressor or another vendor’s suppressor now or want to wait to see if you find any deals, we’re here and happy to help with any questions you may have on these changes or in suppressor ownership!
Reach out to our team by submitting a contact form via the button below, directly by email at Sales@lmt-at.com or by phone by calling 309-558-5554
