Suppressor, SBR and SBS Laws by State
Since October 9, 2026, ATF has stopped enforcing the federal approval and registration rules for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and AOWs. State laws didn't change. Here's what each state's own law says.
Checked against each state's official text on 2026-10-14.
How to read this
- Banned: State law bans it. ATF's change doesn't affect that.
- Register it: State law only allows it if it's registered with ATF. Keep filing the Form 4 or Form 1; ATF still processes them.
- Ties to federal law: State law allows it if you follow federal law. Nobody knows yet whether an unregistered one counts, so filing is the safe choice.
- No state law: No state law on it. Federal rules decide, and ATF isn't requiring registration.
Every state
Alabama
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Alabama has no state suppressor law. Its short-barreled rifle and shotgun law only makes them a crime when possessed "in violation of federal law," and it's not settled whether an unregistered one is a violation while ATF isn't enforcing registration.
Alaska
Suppressors: Register it · Short-barreled rifles: Register it · Short-barreled shotguns: Register it
Alaska makes owning a suppressor, SBR or SBS a felony unless it was handled in line with federal registration. Skipping the Form 4 or Form 1 leaves you without that defense under state law, even though ATF won't charge you.
“the manufacture, possession, transportation, sale, or transfer of the prohibited weapon was in accordance with registration under 26 U.S.C. 5801-5872 (National Firearms Act).”
Arizona
Suppressors: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Arizona lists suppressors, SBRs and SBSs as prohibited weapons, then exempts any kept in compliance with federal law. Whether an unregistered one complies while ATF isn't enforcing registration hasn't been tested.
“do not include any firearms or devices that are possessed, manufactured or transferred in compliance with federal law.”
Arkansas
Suppressors: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Arkansas's prohibited-weapons law exempts items kept in compliance with the National Firearms Act "as either existed on January 1, 2019," when the $200 tax and registration were still in force. Read literally, Arkansas still expects the old paperwork. We could only read this section in ATF's published copy of Arkansas law, so check the current text before you skip the form.
A.C.A. § 5-73-104 (ATF's copy of Arkansas law)
California
Suppressors: Banned · Short-barreled rifles: Banned · Short-barreled shotguns: Banned
California bans suppressors outright and bans SBRs and SBSs except under a rarely issued Department of Justice permit. Nothing about ATF's change applies here.
“possesses a silencer is guilty of a felony”
“possesses any short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun is punishable by imprisonment”
Colorado
Suppressors: Register it · Short-barreled rifles: Register it · Short-barreled shotguns: Register it
Colorado makes owning a suppressor, short rifle or short shotgun a felony. The only defense for ordinary owners is having "a valid permit and license" for it, which in practice has meant the approved federal form. Without one, you'd be relying on a court reading that phrase some other way.
“that said person has a valid permit and license for possession of such weapon.”
Connecticut
Suppressors: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Connecticut bans suppressors and short shotguns except for people "licensed or otherwise permitted by federal or state law" to have them. Whether ATF not enforcing registration counts as being permitted is unsettled. Connecticut has no separate SBR law, but its assault weapon ban still covers most AR-type SBRs.
“licensed or otherwise permitted by federal or state law to possess, control or own sawed-off shotguns or silencers.”
Delaware
Suppressors: Banned · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: Banned
Delaware bans suppressors (with a narrow exception for wildlife biologists) and short-barreled shotguns. Its destructive-weapons law doesn't list short-barreled rifles, though the state's assault weapon ban still applies to the rifle itself.
“(3) A firearm silencer. (4) A sawed-off shotgun.”
Florida
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Florida has no state suppressor law. SBRs and SBSs are a felony unless they're "lawfully owned and possessed under provisions of federal law," and it's not settled whether an unregistered one qualifies.
“Firearms in violation hereof which are lawfully owned and possessed under provisions of federal law are excepted.”
Georgia
Suppressors: Register it · Short-barreled rifles: Register it · Short-barreled shotguns: Register it
Georgia bans suppressors, sawed-off rifles and sawed-off shotguns except for people who have "registered" them under the National Firearms Act. ATF not enforcing registration doesn't change what Georgia's own law says. Keep filing until the legislature or a court says otherwise.
O.C.G.A. §§ 16-11-122 to 16-11-124 (ATF's copy of Georgia law)
Hawaii
Suppressors: Banned · Short-barreled rifles: Banned · Short-barreled shotguns: Banned
Hawaii bans suppressors, SBRs and SBSs outright. ATF's change doesn't affect that.
“rifles with barrel lengths less than sixteen inches; ghost guns; shotguns with barrel lengths less than eighteen inches; cannons; mufflers, silencers, or devices for deadening or muffling the sound of discharged firearms”
Idaho
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: No state law
We found no Idaho law on suppressors, SBRs or SBSs beyond federal law, so ATF's change decides it here.
Idaho Code Title 18, Chapter 33
Illinois
Suppressors: Banned · Short-barreled rifles: Banned · Short-barreled shotguns: Banned
Illinois bans suppressors and short-barreled shotguns. Short-barreled rifles are banned too, except for people holding ATF's Curios and Relics license and some historical re-enactors.
“Possesses any device or attachment of any kind designed, used or intended for use in silencing the report of any firearm”
“the person has been issued a Curios and Relics license from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives”
Indiana
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: No state law
We found no Indiana law on suppressors, SBRs or SBSs beyond federal law (Indiana's weapons article only covers the sheriff's sign-off on federal forms), so ATF's change decides it here.
Iowa
Suppressors: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Iowa makes it a felony to have a suppressor, SBR or SBS "in violation of federal law." Federal law still requires registration on paper even though ATF isn't enforcing it, so whether Iowa would treat an unregistered one as a violation is unsettled.
Iowa Code § 724.1B (suppressors)
Iowa Code § 724.1C (SBRs and SBSs)
Kansas
Suppressors: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Kansas bans suppressors and shotguns with barrels under 18 inches unless the owner is "in compliance with the national firearms act." Kansas-made suppressors are exempt. There's no Kansas law on short-barreled rifles.
“shall not apply to or affect any person or entity in compliance with the national firearms act”
Kentucky
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: No state law
We found no Kentucky law on suppressors, SBRs or SBSs beyond federal law, so ATF's change decides it here.
Louisiana
Suppressors: Register it · Short-barreled rifles: Register it · Short-barreled shotguns: Register it
Louisiana counts suppressors, SBRs and SBSs as "firearms" under a separate law, and makes it a crime to have one that hasn't been registered under federal law. Keep filing the Form 4 or Form 1.
“No person shall receive, possess, carry, conceal, buy, sell, or transport any firearm which has not been registered or transferred in accordance with Title 18 or Title 26 of the United States Code as applicable.”
Maine
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: No state law
We found no Maine law on owning suppressors, SBRs or SBSs beyond federal law, so ATF's change decides it here.
Maryland
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: Register it · Short-barreled shotguns: Register it
Maryland has no state suppressor law. SBRs and SBSs are only legal if they've been registered with the federal government, and if you're charged, it's on you to prove the registration. Keep filing for those.
“the short–barreled shotgun or short–barreled rifle has been registered with the federal government in accordance with federal law.”
— Md. Code, Pub. Safety § 5-203
Massachusetts
Suppressors: Banned · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: Banned
Massachusetts bans suppressors and sawed-off shotguns. It has no separate ban on short-barreled rifles, but you still need a state license to own any gun, and the assault-style firearm ban covers most AR-type SBRs.
“uses or possesses any instrument, attachment, weapon or appliance for causing the firing of any gun, revolver, pistol or other firearm to be silent”
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, § 10A
Michigan
Suppressors: Register it · Short-barreled rifles: Register it · Short-barreled shotguns: Register it
Michigan bans suppressors except for people licensed by the U.S. Treasury "or the secretary's delegate," which has meant an approved ATF form. SBR and SBS owners have to carry a copy of the federal registration and show it to police on request. Keep filing.
“A person licensed by the secretary of the treasury of the United States or the secretary's delegate to manufacture, sell, or possess a machine gun, or a device, weapon, cartridge, container, or contrivance described in subsection (1).”
“shall possess a copy of the federal registration of that short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle”
Minnesota
Suppressors: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: Banned
Minnesota makes it a felony to have a suppressor "that is not lawfully possessed under federal law," which leaves the unregistered question open. Short-barreled shotguns are banned for ordinary owners. Minnesota has no law on short-barreled rifles.
“sells or has in possession a suppressor that is not lawfully possessed under federal law”
“whoever owns, possesses, or operates a short-barreled shotgun may be sentenced to imprisonment”
Mississippi
Suppressors: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: No state law
Mississippi bans suppressors for anyone "not duly authorized under federal law." On October 12, 2026, Attorney General Lynn Fitch said that with ATF making the Form 4 voluntary, it's voluntary in Mississippi too. She also said that can be reversed and plans to ask the legislature to remove the federal reference. Separately, carrying a suppressor, SBR or SBS concealed is still a state crime unless an exception applies.
Attorney General's statement, Oct. 12, 2026
Miss. Code § 97-37-31 (ATF's copy of Mississippi law)
Miss. Code § 97-37-1 (concealed carry)
Missouri
Suppressors: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Missouri only makes suppressors, SBRs and SBSs a crime when they're possessed "in violation of federal law." Whether an unregistered one is a violation while ATF isn't enforcing registration is unsettled.
“Any of the following in violation of federal law: (a) A machine gun; (b) A short-barreled rifle or shotgun; (c) A firearm silencer”
Montana
Suppressors: Register it · Short-barreled rifles: Register it · Short-barreled shotguns: Register it
Montana doesn't ban suppressors, but having one "that is not registered under federal law" counts as evidence you meant to commit a crime with it. Its sawed-off rifle and shotgun law exempts people with "a valid federal tax stamp." Keep filing for all three.
“Possession of a silencer that is not registered under federal law”
“by a person who has a valid federal tax stamp for the firearm”
Nebraska
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Nebraska has no state suppressor law. Short rifles and short shotguns are a felony except for people "qualified under the provisions of federal law," which leaves the unregistered question open.
“persons qualified under the provisions of federal law relating to the short rifle, short shotgun, or machine gun.”
Nevada
Suppressors: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled rifles: Register it · Short-barreled shotguns: Register it
Nevada bans suppressors "unless authorized by federal law," which leaves the unregistered question open. SBRs and SBSs are only legal for licensed dealers or someone the gun "is registered" to with the federal government, so keep filing for those.
“possess or use a machine gun or a silencer, unless authorized by federal law”
“by a person to whom such a rifle or shotgun is registered with the United States Department of the Treasury”
New Hampshire
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: No state law
We found no New Hampshire law on suppressors, SBRs or SBSs beyond federal law, so ATF's change decides it here.
New Jersey
Suppressors: Banned · Short-barreled rifles: Banned · Short-barreled shotguns: Banned
New Jersey bans suppressors and "sawed-off shotguns," a term its law defines to include rifles with barrels under 16 inches. ATF's change doesn't affect that.
“Silencers. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any firearm silencer is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.”
— N.J.S. 2C:39-3 (P.L.2018, c.39)
New Mexico
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: No state law
We found no New Mexico law on suppressors, SBRs or SBSs beyond federal law, so ATF's change decides it here.
New Mexico Statutes (NMOneSource)
New York
Suppressors: Banned · Short-barreled rifles: Banned · Short-barreled shotguns: Banned
New York makes owning a suppressor a felony. Its law counts short-barreled rifles and shotguns as "firearms" that need the same license as a handgun, and those licenses only cover pistols and revolvers, so ordinary owners can't legally have them.
North Carolina
Suppressors: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
North Carolina calls suppressors, SBRs and SBSs "weapons of mass death and destruction" and exempts owners who have them "in compliance with" the National Firearms Act. Whether that covers an unregistered one hasn't been decided.
“Persons who lawfully possess or own a weapon as defined in subsection (c) of this section in compliance with 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53, §§ 5801-5871.”
North Dakota
Suppressors: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
North Dakota makes it a felony to have a silencer or other NFA firearm unless you "complied with the National Firearms Act." Whether that covers an unregistered one hasn't been decided.
Ohio
Suppressors: Register it · Short-barreled rifles: Register it · Short-barreled shotguns: Register it
Ohio counts suppressors and sawed-off rifles and shotguns as "dangerous ordnance." Ordinary owners are only exempt if the item is registered in the national firearms registry. Keep filing.
“Owners of dangerous ordnance registered in the national firearms registration and transfer record”
Oklahoma
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Oklahoma has no state law on owning suppressors. Its sawed-off rifle and shotgun law doesn't apply to guns "lawfully possessed under federal law," which leaves the unregistered question open.
21 O.S. § 1289.18 (OSBI's copy of the statute)
Oregon
Suppressors: Register it · Short-barreled rifles: Register it · Short-barreled shotguns: Register it
Oregon makes owning a suppressor, SBR or SBS a felony. The defense is that it "was registered as required under federal law," and police can't arrest you if you have the paperwork on you. Keep filing.
“is registered as required under federal law.”
Pennsylvania
Suppressors: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Pennsylvania's offensive-weapons law covers guns made or adapted for "silent discharge" and shotguns with barrels under 18 inches. The defense is proving you "complied with the National Firearms Act," which leaves the unregistered question open. The law doesn't list short-barreled rifles.
Rhode Island
Suppressors: Banned · Short-barreled rifles: Banned · Short-barreled shotguns: Banned
Rhode Island bans suppressors and sawed-off rifles and shotguns. ATF's change doesn't affect that.
“It shall be unlawful within this state to manufacture, sell, purchase, or possess any muffler, silencer, or device for deadening or muffling the sound of a firearm when discharged”
“No person shall have in his or her possession or under his or her control any sawed-off shotgun or sawed-off rifle”
South Carolina
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: Register it · Short-barreled shotguns: Register it
South Carolina has no state suppressor law. Sawed-off rifles and shotguns are only legal for someone "authorized to possess these weapons" by ATF, which has meant an approved federal form. Keep filing for those.
“any person authorized to possess these weapons by the United States Department of the Treasury, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, or any other federal agency empowered to grant this authorization”
South Dakota
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: Register it
South Dakota's law says outright that a suppressor is not a "controlled weapon," and it doesn't list short rifles. Short shotguns are a felony unless you have a federal license or "registered the weapon with the proper federal authority," so keep filing for an SBS.
“"Controlled weapon" includes a machine gun and short shotgun, but does not include a firearm silencer;”
“has registered the weapon with the proper federal authority pursuant to law”
— S.D. Codified Laws § 22-14-6
Tennessee
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Tennessee's prohibited-weapons list no longer includes suppressors. Short-barreled rifles and shotguns are still on it, with a defense for owners who comply with the National Firearms Act, which leaves the unregistered question open.
Tenn. Code § 39-17-1302, as listed by the Attorney General (Op. 22-01)
Legislature's fiscal note describing the NFA defense
Texas
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: No state law
Texas's prohibited-weapons list used to include suppressors and short-barreled firearms. It no longer does; it now covers explosive weapons and machine guns, so ATF's change decides it for these three.
Utah
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: No state law
We found no Utah law on suppressors, SBRs or SBSs beyond federal law, so ATF's change decides it here.
Utah Code Title 76, Chapter 10, Part 5
Vermont
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: No state law
Vermont lets you own a suppressor, but you can only use one at a shooting range or while hunting. If you make your own, state law requires following the federal making rules in 26 U.S.C. § 5822 (the Form 1 process). Vermont has no SBR or SBS law.
“a person who makes a gun suppressor in compliance with the requirements of 26 U.S.C. § 5822.”
Virginia
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Virginia has no state suppressor law. Its sawed-off rifle and shotgun law doesn't cover guns "possessed in compliance with federal law," which leaves the unregistered question open.
“possessed in compliance with federal law”
Washington
Suppressors: Register it · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Banned
Washington doesn't restrict owning a suppressor, but using one is a crime "unless the suppressor is legally registered." SBRs are legal if you're "in compliance with applicable federal law." Short-barreled shotguns are banned unless acquired before July 1, 1994.
“unless the suppressor is legally registered and possessed in accordance with federal law”
“if the person is in compliance with applicable federal law.”
West Virginia
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: No state law
West Virginia's NFA-type law only covers machine guns. We found no state law on suppressors, SBRs or SBSs, so ATF's change decides it here.
Wisconsin
Suppressors: Register it · Short-barreled rifles: Ties to federal law · Short-barreled shotguns: Ties to federal law
Wisconsin makes owning a suppressor a felony unless you "complied with the licensing and registration requirements" of the NFA, so keep filing. Its SBR and SBS law has a broader exception for any gun "that may be lawfully possessed under federal law," which leaves that question open.
“Any person who has complied with the licensing and registration requirements under 26 USC 5801 to 5872.”
“This section shall not apply to any firearm that may be lawfully possessed under federal law”
Wyoming
Suppressors: No state law · Short-barreled rifles: No state law · Short-barreled shotguns: No state law
We found no Wyoming law on suppressors, SBRs or SBSs beyond federal law, so ATF's change decides it here.
Washington, D.C.
Suppressors: Banned · Short-barreled rifles: Banned · Short-barreled shotguns: Banned
Washington, D.C. bans suppressors and sawed-off shotguns, and won't register short-barreled rifles, which makes them illegal to own there.
Common questions
Do I still need a Form 4 or tax stamp for a suppressor?
Not federally, as of October 9, 2026. The tax has been $0 since January 1, 2026, and ATF has stopped enforcing the approval and registration rules for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs and AOWs. A dealer still runs a Form 4473 and background check. But state law didn't change, and in some states it only allows a suppressor that's registered with ATF: Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin. In those states, keep filing the Form 4 (ATF still processes them). It's ATF choosing not to enforce the law, not a repeal, so it could change.
Which states ban suppressors?
California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C.. ATF's change doesn't affect these bans. Vermont allows suppressors but only lets you use one at a range or while hunting.
Which states still require NFA registration for an SBR?
State law only allows a short-barreled rifle that's registered with ATF in Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon and South Carolina. Short-barreled rifles are banned in California, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C.. In many other states the law allows them "in compliance with federal law," and nobody knows yet whether an unregistered one counts.
If I skip the form now, can I register the item later?
Probably not. ATF says federal law doesn't generally allow registering an NFA item after the fact, and nothing would automatically grandfather unregistered ones. If enforcement resumed (Congress brings back a tax, a court reverses the ruling, or the Justice Department changes its mind), the only way to register them would be an amnesty, which the Attorney General doesn't have to offer. ATF warns that unregistered NFA items would be contraband again.
Can a dealer sell me an SBR or SBS without a Form 4 now?
Federal law says a dealer needs ATF's go-ahead to sell a short-barreled rifle or shotgun to an ordinary buyer, and the Form 4 used to be how that happened. ATF says it won't enforce that rule until it writes a new approval process. The dealer still runs a Form 4473 and background check, and still can't sell you anything your state bans.
Can I take an unregistered SBR or suppressor to another state?
For a short-barreled rifle or shotgun, you still need ATF's approval on Form 5320.20 before crossing state lines, whether or not it's registered. Suppressors don't need that form. Either way, the law of every state you pass through and arrive in still applies, so check each one in the table above.
Should I take my suppressor off the NFA registry?
Think hard first. ATF will remove an item if you write to its NFA Division, but once it's off the registry it can't be put back unless the Attorney General declares an amnesty. In states that only allow registered items, removing it could also make it illegal under state law.
Federal NFA law · Traveling with an NFA item
Not legal advice. Laws change; verify with official sources.