It’s Always Something: There Are Two Problems With the NFA Reforms in the Big Beautiful Bill

What the Bill Gets Right

Section 70436 of the Senate reconciliation bill strikes a direct blow to the NFA’s outdated control mechanisms. It rewrites the federal definition of a “firearm,” removing short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, suppressors, and any other weapons (AOWs) from federal oversight.

These items would now fall outside of the NFA’s jurisdiction—an unprecedented rollback of federal gun control.

The bill also strips the ATF’s power to classify shotguns as “destructive devices” based on cosmetic features, ending the Clinton-era abuse of the “sporting purposes” clause used to block imports and sales of tactical-style shotguns.

Furthermore, the bill repeals the outdated NFA taxes—like the $5 transfer tax on AOWs and the $200 tax on SBRs, SBSs, and suppressors—taxes that were never about safety but always about control.

Finally, the bill attempts to shield gun owners from state-level red tape by recognizing federal acquisition of SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs as lawful—even where state law imposes its own registration requirements.

But There’s a Catch

Despite these victories, NAGR warns of two glaring problems in the Senate language that Congress must fix before the bill crosses the finish line.

First, suppressors are not explicitly protected under the state preemption provision. While they are removed from the NFA under the new definition of §5845(a), they are left out of the federal override clause under §5841(f).

Without this fix, blue states like California, New York, and Illinois could continue to treat suppressors as contraband, claiming no federal protection exists.

Second, the bill’s delayed implementation timeline creates a ticking time bomb.

As written, the reforms wouldn’t take effect until 90 days after passage—leaving American suppressor buyers in limbo. With uncertainty over whether the $200 tax will apply or whether a pending order will be voided, the market could see a chilling effect on sales just as the bill is intended to set them free.

“This is a recipe for confusion and short-term suppressed sales,” the NAGR document warns. “Congress should add an amendment to make this provision effective immediately upon enactment.”

A Historic Opportunity—But Only If Congress Gets It Right

There’s no question, the Senate’s move to gut large sections of the NFA is one of the most significant pro-gun reforms in nearly a century. But unless the two holes identified by NAGR are closed, gun owners could face legal limbo in anti-gun states and suppressor sales could stall at a critical moment.

Pro-gun lawmakers need to finish what they started. That means adding preemption protection for suppressors and making the reforms effective immediately. Anything less risks undermining the bill’s strongest achievements.

As always, the battle lines are drawn—and Texas Gun Rights, NAGR, and millions of gun owners across the country will be watching closely.