NFA Ruling and ATF Policy: 4473s Are Now an Option. We Still Recommend a Form 4.

On August 5, a federal court ruled that with the suppressor tax at $0, the NFA's registration rules can't stand on Congress's power to tax. On October 9, ATF announced that it will no longer require approval or registration for suppressors, and that policy applies to everyone (ATF open letter). Neither the ruling nor ATF's policy repealed the NFA or changed state law, and ATF says enforcement could resume.

Starting in mid-October, you can buy from us on a Form 4473 alone where state law allows it. At launch, that means home delivery in 19 states or pickup at our Texas store. Fifteen states still tie lawful possession to federal registration, so a 4473 isn't an option there. We still recommend a Form 4 for most buyers. ATF's own FAQ says "the NFA treats unregistered firearms as contraband" (ATF FAQ). A Form 4 keeps your suppressor compliant today and under future administrations. The tax is $0, and approvals come back in days. If we can't ship to your door in your state, we can ship to a local dealer you choose. You pick that option at checkout.

4473 vs. Form 4: What to Know →    4473 Ship-to-Home Details →    The August 5 Ruling →

How to Buy a Suppressor in 2026: Step by Step, No $200 Tax Stamp

Choose your suppressor, check out, and sign your paperwork. We file your eForm 4, keep you updated, and deliver to your door after approval. Since January 1, 2026, there is also no $200 federal tax stamp to pay.

New to suppressors? Learn how suppressors work →

How to Buy a Suppressor Online in 6 Steps

Capitol Armory handles the process from purchase through delivery. We sell the suppressor, file your eForm 4 within 24 hours, and keep your fingerprints and trust on file so future orders are easier. Here is the Form 4 process we recommend for most buyers:

1. Pick your suppressor. Browse videos, specs, and real-world feedback in our suppressor catalog. If you are new to suppressors, our suppressor buying guides compare models brand by brand. If you're still not sure, call us.
2. Check out and choose individual or trust. Buy in your own name for the fastest approval, or use an NFA trust so the people you name can use and inherit it. If you need a trust, our $79.95 NFA trust covers every NFA item you will ever own.
3. Upload your fingerprints and photo. Upload your EFT fingerprint file and a selfie, or use our at-home fingerprint kit if you do not have an EFT yet.
4. E-sign your eForm 4. We prepare your ATF eForm 4, you e-sign it, and we submit it electronically within 24 hours.
5. Wait for approval. The ATF approves when your FBI background check clears, often in days. Track averages on our ATF wait times page.
6. Get it delivered to your door. After approval, you complete a Form 4473 online and we ship following approved ATF Procedure 2020-1, with no dealer pickup and no transfer fee. Texas residents may also pick up in Cedar Park. If we can't ship to your door in your state, we can ship to a local dealer you choose. You pick that option at checkout.

Considering a 4473 instead? Read 4473 vs. Form 4 Suppressors before you choose, or see 4473 ship-to-home details for who qualifies and how it works.

Can I Buy a Suppressor Now Without a Tax Stamp or Form 4?

Is There Still a Suppressor Tax Stamp?

No, the $200 federal tax on suppressors dropped to $0 on January 1, 2026. The tax went away. If you choose a Form 4, you still pass a background check and submit fingerprints, and your approved Form 4 is your tax stamp. Our NFA tax stamp elimination guide covers what changed and what stayed the same.

Do I Still Need a Form 4? The NFA Ruling and ATF's October 9 Policy

On August 5, 2026, a federal court ruled in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF that with the suppressor tax at $0, the NFA's registration rules can't stand on Congress's power to tax. On October 9, ATF announced that it will no longer require approval or registration for suppressors, and that policy applies to everyone (ATF open letter). Neither the ruling nor ATF's policy repealed the NFA or changed state law.

Starting in mid-October, you can buy from us on a Form 4473 alone where state law allows it. At launch, that means home delivery in 19 states or pickup at our Texas store. Fifteen states still tie lawful possession to federal registration, so a 4473 isn't an option there. If we can't ship to your door in your state, we can ship to a local dealer you choose. You pick that option at checkout.

We still recommend a Form 4 for most buyers. ATF says enforcement could resume if Congress adds a tax, a court overturns the injunction, or the Justice Department changes course, and its own FAQ says "the NFA treats unregistered firearms as contraband" (ATF FAQ). A Form 4 keeps your suppressor compliant today and under future administrations, and you can travel with it and ship it for warranty work without the same legal questions. Read 4473 vs. Form 4 Suppressors for the details, or The August 5 Ruling for background.

What Is the New Process for Buying a Suppressor?

On a Form 4, the steps are the same as before, just without the $200 payment. Pick a suppressor, choose individual or trust, submit fingerprints and a photo, e-sign your Form 4, wait for approval, and take delivery.

On a 4473, there is no ATF approval step. You add the suppressor to your cart, choose 4473 shipped to your home, sign an affidavit, complete your Form 4473, and we ship it to your door. It is open to individual buyers, not trusts or LLCs, in our 18 launch states, and for now you need a license to carry or concealed weapons permit issued by your state of residence. 4473 ship-to-home details lists the states.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Suppressor?

We file your eForm 4 within 24 hours of receiving your fingerprints and photo. From there, approval is up to the ATF, which averaged 6 days for individual eForm 4s and 20 days for trust eForm 4s on applications finalized in August 2026, according to ATF data.

Half of our customers see that fast turnaround. If approval takes longer, you or someone on your trust likely received a background check delay, which can add a few months. Current numbers and what to do about delays are on our ATF Form 4 wait times page.

Who Can Buy a Suppressor?

How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a Suppressor?

You have to be 21 to buy a suppressor from a dealer. Trustees and beneficiaries on an NFA trust can be 18 to possess one, depending on state law, according to the American Suppressor Association.

Is It Legal to Own a Suppressor?

Yes, in 42 states. On a Form 4, you pass a federal background check and register it with the ATF. Under ATF's October 9 policy, you can also buy on a 4473 where state law allows it, but fifteen states tie lawful possession to federal registration. Eight states and Washington, D.C. prohibit suppressors outright: California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. That means you cannot buy a suppressor in California, Illinois, or New York. Check suppressor laws by state for the details.

Can I Buy a Suppressor in Any State?

No, because federal law requires a dealer to deliver a suppressor in the state where you live (18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(3)), and your state has to allow suppressors. That is why Capitol Armory has a location in each state we serve. It lets us handle the process and ship directly to your door.

What States Can You Own a Suppressor Without a Permit?

On a Form 4, your approved Form 4 is your federal permit. Under ATF's October 9 policy, ATF no longer requires approval for suppressors, but fifteen states tie lawful possession to federal registration. For our 4473 home delivery, you need a license to carry or concealed weapons permit issued by your state of residence, for now. Each of the 42 states listed below allows suppressor ownership, and your state page covers any additional state rules.

How to Buy a Suppressor in Texas in 2026

Texas buyers on a Form 4 follow the same six steps, with the same $0 federal tax stamp. Texas is also one of our 18 launch states for 4473 home delivery. Since we are based in Cedar Park, Texas residents can pick up in person on a Form 4 or a 4473, or choose door delivery. See our Texas suppressor page for state details, or check Washington, Florida, and Missouri if you live there.

Should I Buy a Suppressor Now or Wait?

The $200 tax is already gone, so waiting will not save you money, and eForm 4 approvals are running days to weeks instead of months.

If you are thinking about skipping the Form 4 under ATF's October 9 policy, remember that state law still applies, fifteen states tie lawful possession to federal registration, and a 4473-only suppressor is not registered to you. ATF's own FAQ says "the NFA treats unregistered firearms as contraband."

A Form 4 keeps your suppressor compliant today and under future administrations. A court order and an ATF policy aren't law. ATF says enforcement could resume if Congress adds a tax, a court overturns the injunction, or the Justice Department changes course. If that happens, a registered suppressor stays legal. An unregistered one could leave you with an item that is illegal to possess, and ATF says there are no provisions that would automatically grandfather unregistered NFA firearms.

Future Orders Require Just a Signature

We securely store your trust and fingerprints, so future orders require just a signature. After the first order, the information we need is already on file.

Ready to Buy?

Thousands of customers buy suppressors through Capitol Armory each month.

Suppressor Buying Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most before someone buys a suppressor or silencer.

How do I buy a suppressor from Capitol Armory?

Pick a suppressor on our site and check out. Then upload a photo and your fingerprints, either as an EFT file or with our at-home fingerprint kit. You can buy as an individual or through a trust. If you do not have one, you can buy ours, which is legal in all 50 states. We prepare your eForm 4, you e-sign it, and we submit it to the ATF. After approval, you complete a Form 4473 online and we ship the suppressor to your door. We prompt you at each step.

Can I buy a suppressor now without a tax stamp?

Yes, the federal tax on suppressors dropped from $200 to $0 on January 1, 2026, so there is no tax stamp to pay. If you file a Form 4, you still complete a background check and fingerprints, and your approved Form 4 is your tax stamp. Our tax stamp guide has the details.

Can I buy a suppressor without a Form 4?

Yes, under ATF's October 9 policy, in states that allow it. Starting mid-October, we offer 4473 suppressors shipped to your home in 19 states and at our Texas store. But ATF's own FAQ says "the NFA treats unregistered firearms as contraband," and ATF's policy can change. A Form 4 keeps your suppressor compliant today and under future administrations, so we still recommend a Form 4 for most buyers. 4473 vs. Form 4 Suppressors has the details.

Can you buy a suppressor just like a gun now?

Close to it, in states that allow it. Under ATF's October 9 policy, you can buy a suppressor on a Form 4473 alone, and we offer that in 19 states at launch. A suppressor bought that way is not registered to you, and state law still applies. ATF isn't enforcing the federal ban on moving unregistered NFA firearms across state lines for now, but that can change, which is why we still recommend a Form 4.

How long does it take to get a suppressor?

We file your eForm 4 within 24 hours after you upload your fingerprints and photo. The ATF averaged 6 days for individual eForm 4s and 20 days for trusts in August 2026, and half of our customers see that fast turnaround. If the FBI has to review a background check by hand, approval can take months. Current approval times are on our ATF wait times page.

How old do you have to be to buy a suppressor?

You have to be 21 to buy a suppressor from a dealer. Trustees and beneficiaries on an NFA trust can be 18 to possess one, depending on state law.

Is it legal to own a suppressor?

Yes, in 42 states, with an approved Form 4 or, under ATF's October 9 policy, a 4473 where state law allows it. California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C. prohibit them.

Can I buy a suppressor in any state?

No, because a dealer has to deliver the suppressor in the state where you live, and your state has to allow suppressors. We keep a location in each of the 42 states we serve so we can ship to your door.

Should I buy a suppressor now or wait?

If you are ready, there is little reason to wait. The $200 tax is already gone, approvals are running days to weeks, and a Form 4 keeps your suppressor compliant today and under future administrations, even if Congress brings back the tax, a court overturns the injunction, or ATF changes its policy.

How does Capitol Armory ship to my door?

Once your Form 4 is approved, we ship your suppressor to your home following approved ATF Procedure 2020-1. There is no dealer pickup, no FFL transfer, and no extra transfer fee, and we deliver to the 42 states listed below. If we can't ship to your door in your state, we can ship to a local dealer you choose. You pick that option at checkout.

How do I apply for a suppressor?

We handle the application for you. Using your photo, fingerprints, and trust if you have one, we prepare your ATF eForm 4. You review and e-sign it, then we submit it electronically and keep you updated through approval.

We Ship Suppressors Direct to These 42 States

On a Form 4, we deliver suppressors directly to your residence in all of the states below, with no FFL transfer, dealer pickup, or extra transfer fee. 4473 home delivery is available in 18 of them at launch.

If you are not sure whether suppressors are legal where you live, check your state’s suppressor laws →