The National Firearms Act (NFA) regulates certain firearms and accessories including suppressors (silencers), short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), machine guns, and Any Other Weapons (AOWs). Owning these items is legal for civilians in most states, but requires federal registration, a tax stamp, and patience. This hub is our complete NFA reference.
Georgia Gun Shops holds a Class 3 SOT license and can transfer NFA items through approved SOT dealers in your state (or directly to Georgia residents for in-state pickup).
NFA Item Categories
- Suppressors / Silencers — reduce muzzle blast and noise. Legal in 42 states. $200 tax stamp.
- Short-Barreled Rifles (SBRs) — rifles with barrels under 16″ or overall length under 26″. $200 tax stamp. Form 1 (DIY) or Form 4 (pre-built).
- Short-Barreled Shotguns (SBSs) — shotguns with barrels under 18″ or overall length under 26″. $200 tax stamp.
- Machine Guns — select-fire firearms. Civilian market frozen at 1986 Hughes Amendment date — only pre-86 “transferable” machine guns are legal for civilians. Prices $15,000+ for most.
- Any Other Weapons (AOWs) — pen guns, cane guns, certain smooth-bore handguns, shotguns with pistol grips and barrels under 18″. $5 tax stamp (cheapest NFA class).
- Destructive Devices (DDs) — explosives, grenade launchers, shotguns over .50 bore. $200 tax stamp.
The Form 4 Process (Buying an NFA Item)
- Choose your item — from our catalog or any SOT dealer
- Pay for the item — item cost plus $200 tax stamp (we handle the paperwork)
- Submit Form 4 — we file electronically through ATF eForms
- Provide fingerprints and photos — all “responsible persons” for trust purchases
- Wait for ATF approval — currently ~8-12 months
- Transfer complete — pick up your NFA item from a local SOT dealer
Individual vs Trust Registration
You can register NFA items to yourself individually, or to an NFA Trust. Trusts offer significant advantages:
- Multiple users: trustees can legally possess and use the item
- Estate planning: avoids Form 4 re-transfer at death
- Shared use: family members can use suppressors for hunting
Current ATF Wait Times
Wait times fluctuate based on ATF workload. See our monthly-updated Form 4 Wait Time Tracker for latest data.
Popular NFA Items
- Browse all suppressors
- SilencerCo Omega 300 — versatile rifle suppressor
- Dead Air Nomad 30 — modular .30 caliber
- Thunderbeast Ultra 7 — precision rifle favorite
- Canik VOID series — affordable entry point
- Griffin Armament Recce 5/7 — high-value, modular
State Compliance
NFA items are federally legal but some states add additional restrictions. Suppressors are banned for civilian ownership in CA, DE, HI, IA (for some), NJ, NY, and DC. We do not ship suppressors to these states. Check our state shipping pages for specifics.