10/12/2026
NFA Update: What North Carolina Members Need to Know
Hello SRGC,
We have received numerous calls about the October 9 announcement concerning suppressors, short-barreled ri**es (SBRs), and short-barreled sh****ns (SBSs). We want to clarify what changed and what it means for our SRGC members .
What changed federally?
Following an earlier federal court ruling, ATF announced that, effective October 9, 2026, it would no longer enforce certain NFA approval and registration requirements for suppressors, Short Barrel Ri**es , Short Barrel Sh****ns, and fi***rms classified as “any other weapons.”
This federal enforcement policy does not repeal the NFA or override state law. ATF will continue accepting and approving NFA applications voluntarily.
North Carolina law still applies.
North Carolina General Statute 14-288.8 continues to regulate suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs. Its exceptions include ownership and possession in compliance with the federal NFA under subsection (b)(5). The October 9 announcement did not amend this statute.
Federal nonenforcement should not be treated as permission to possess an unregistered item in North Carolina. ATF states that it cannot determine whether an unregistered item held under its new policy satisfies state-law requirements.
Springs Road Gun Club will continue using the applicable NFA application, approval, and registration process while North Carolina’s requirements remain in place and until authoritative guidance establishes a different lawful process.
Watch our attorney’s explanation
We have included a video from our attorney clarifying the update. Please take a few minutes to watch it for additional explanation of these developments:
Watch the attorney’s NFA update on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpLFYBLAfzQ
If you own an NFA item or have a pending application
Keep your existing registration and approval documents, and contact us before canceling a pending application or requesting removal of an existing registration. Do not purchase, make, or transfer an unregistered suppressor, SBR, or SBS based solely on online headlines.
Applicable dealer paperwork and background-check requirements remain in place. Interstate transportation of SBRs and SBSs still requires prior ATF authorization using Form 20. Machine guns and destructive devices remain subject to full NFA requirements.
We understand the excitement surrounding this announcement. Our priority is keeping members informed and ensuring that our transactions comply with both federal and North Carolina law.
Thank you for your patience as this develops. Please contact us with questions about a purchase or pending transfer.
Jack Simons
Springs Road Gun Club
