08/18/2026
DID YA HEAR?
NFA Update: What the Federal Suppressor Ruling Means for North Carolina.
The recent landmark federal court ruling in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF has many gun owners asking what comes next, especially here in North Carolina.
The Federal Backstory - U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix recently ruled that the federal government cannot enforce National Fi****ms Act (NFA) registration requirements—such as Form 4 filings, fingerprinting, and extended wait times—for certain items like suppressors and Any Other Weapons (AOWs). This decision follows a federal law that dropped the NFA tax stamp price to $0. The court determined that without a revenue-generating tax, the federal government lacks the constitutional authority to mandate registration. Because the Department of Justice did not secure a stay, this ruling is currently active for specific plaintiffs and customers of co-plaintiff organizations in 27 states. In those "free states," qualifying buyers can purchase a suppressor, pass a standard National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check, and take it home the same day.
Because the Department of Justice has until October 5, 2026, to appeal or seek a stay on the final judgment, the current legal landscape remains highly fluid. FFLs outside of the protected lawsuit frameworks are largely continuing to mandate standard Form 4 processing to protect themselves from severe federal compliance penalties.
The Impact on North Carolina. For North Carolina residents, the process remains unchanged for now. North Carolina is one of 15 states where state-level legislation specifically ties the legal possession of suppressors and other Class 3 items to an approved ATF Form 4. Even though federal registration requirements have hit a major roadblock, North Carolina state law still mandates compliance with traditional federal NFA paperwork to remain legal under state statutes and as of now, ATF is still processing Form 4 filings.
The Bottom Line. If you are buying a suppressor or an NFA item in North Carolina, it is business as usual. You must still submit your Form 4, submit fingerprints, and wait for your ATF approval before taking possession of your item. Industry legal teams are monitoring the situation to see if North Carolina will update its legislative verbiage or if a nationwide injunction changes the local landscape.
At Mountain West Fi****ms, we've decided to hold off on investing in electronic fingerprinting equipment for now. With the recent changes in suppressor laws and ongoing legal challenges to the remaining registration requirements, all signs seem to point toward a simpler purchasing process in the future. Instead of making a significant investment that may soon become unnecessary, we're taking a wait-and-see approach while continuing to monitor developments closely. We'll keep our customers informed every step of the way and appreciate your understanding and support.
What are your thoughts on the suppressor law changes? Let us know in the comments! 👇
