At a Glance: Federal firearms regulations are changing in 2026, but not all of ATF’s announced reforms are currently in effect. The Department of Justice and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced 34 regulatory actions under ATF’s New Era of Reform. Some are final, while many remain proposed changes.
What Is ATF’s New Era of Reform?
In April 2026, the Department of Justice and ATF announced 34 proposed and final regulatory actions following a federal review directed by Executive Order 14206.
The reforms cover several areas affecting gun owners, firearm dealers, and federal firearms licensees, including stabilizing braces, Form 4473, NFA applications, record retention, interstate transfers, and the definition of who is “engaged in the business” of selling firearms.
ATF groups the actions into five categories: Repeal, Modernize, Reduce Burden, Clarify, and Align.
Which ATF Changes Are Actually in Effect?
A major distinction for every federal firearms licensee is whether an action is final, proposed, or withdrawn.
| Change | Status | Current Position |
| Bump-stock machine gun definition (1140-AA60) | Final | In effect |
| $0 NFA making and transfer tax | Federal law | In effect |
| CLEO notification removal (1140-AA65) | Proposed | Not in effect |
| Stabilizing-brace rescission (1140-AA98) | Proposed | Not final |
| Form 4473 revisions (1140-AA82) | Proposed | Not final |
| “Engaged in the Business” revisions (1140-AB01) | Proposed | Not final |
| 20- or 30-year record retention (1140-AA95) | Proposed | Not final |
| FFL eZ Check alternative (1140-AA61) | Withdrawn | Not in effect |
Proposed rules do not change current federal law simply because their public comment periods have ended. FFLs should continue following existing requirements until a final rule takes effect.
NFA Tax Reduced to $0 for Most NFA Firearms
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act reduced the federal National Firearms Act making and transfer tax to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and Any Other Weapons beginning January 1, 2026. Machine guns and destructive devices remain subject to the $200 tax. ATF subsequently issued a final rule updating its NFA tax regulations to reflect the new tax structure.
The tax change was followed by another major development in August 2026. In Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, a federal court permanently barred ATF and DOJ from enforcing the challenged NFA provisions for untaxed firearms against the plaintiffs and, where applicable, their members and customers. The injunction took effect August 13, 2026. Under Silencer Shop’s current guidance, covered suppressor and AOW purchases originating from Silencer Shop can proceed without Form 4 in 27 states where state law does not separately require the NFA process. The ruling is not a nationwide injunction covering every purchaser or NFA firearm, and Silencer Shop states that SBR and SBS purchases still require Form 4.
For more information, see FastBound’s NFA Tax Stamp guide.
Stabilizing-Brace Rule Rescission Is Still Proposed
ATF’s RIN 1140-AA98 proposes formally removing the regulatory language added by the agency’s 2023 stabilizing-brace rule.
The 2026 proposal is not final, and its public comment period closed August 4, 2026. Separately, the 2023 stabilizing-brace rule was vacated in its entirety by a federal district court in June 2024. ATF’s current proposal states that the agency has been prevented from enforcing the 2023 rule and is proposing to remove the vacated language from its regulations.
For more information, see FastBound’s 2026 pistol-brace rule update
Bump-Stock Definition Revised
ATF’s RIN 1140-AA60 is final.
The rule revised the federal machinegun definition following the Supreme Court decision in Garland v. Cargill. The Supreme Court held that a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a non-mechanical bump stock does not meet the federal statutory definition of a machine gun.
This federal change does not override separate state law restrictions that may apply to bump stocks.
CLEO Notification Removal Is Not Yet Final
ATF has proposed eliminating certain Chief Law Enforcement Officer notification requirements for NFA applications under RIN 1140-AA65.
If finalized, the change would remove the requirement to provide certain NFA application documents to the applicable law enforcement officer.
However, the rule remains proposed. Its comment period closed July 6, 2026, and current CLEO notification requirements remain in effect for NFA applications that are still subject to the Form 1 or Form 4 process.
Form 4473 Changes Remain Proposed
ATF’s RIN 1140-AA82 proposes changes to Form 4473 and related procedures.
The proposal addresses areas including identity and residence verification, electronic processing, NICS transaction timing, and certain information entered on Form 4473.
The public comment period closed August 6, 2026, but the changes have not been finalized. Current Form 4473 and background check requirements continue to apply.
“Engaged in the Business” Rule Changes Remain Proposed
RIN 1140-AB01 proposes revising regulations governing when someone is considered “engaged in the business” as a firearm dealer.
The comment period closed August 4, 2026, but the proposed rule has not been finalized. Federal firearms licensees and unlicensed sellers should continue following current federal requirements.
FFL Record Retention Changes Are Also Proposed
ATF’s RIN 1140-AA95 considers replacing certain indefinite FFL record-retention requirements with a defined retention period of either 20 or 30 years.
The comment period closed August 4, 2026. The proposal is not currently in effect, so firearm dealers should continue following existing record-retention rules.
FFL eZ Check Rule Was Withdrawn
ATF proposed allowing FFLs to rely on FFL eZ Check verification instead of obtaining a certified copy of the receiving licensee’s FFL for certain transfers.
ATF later withdrew the direct final rule effective July 6, 2026.
FFL eZ Check itself remains available. What did not take effect was the ability to use that verification as a substitute for the certified license copy required under current regulations.
Firearms Electronic Recordkeeping (1140-AA94)
Rule 1140-AA94 proposes formally authorizing federal firearms licensees to generate, maintain, and store required records electronically. ATF currently permits electronic acquisition and disposition records under ATF Ruling 2016-1 and electronic Form 4473 under ATF Ruling 2016-2. If finalized, the proposal would codify electronic recordkeeping directly in 27 CFR Part 478.
Joint Registration for Spouses Under the NFA (1140-AB00)
Rule 1140-AB00 proposes allowing married couples to file a joint application as makers or transferees of NFA-regulated firearms. Under current regulations, spouses who want to jointly register an NFA firearm may use a legal entity such as a trust. If finalized, the proposed rule would allow spouses to apply jointly on applicable Form 1 or Form 4 applications without establishing a trust solely for joint registration.
Interstate Transportation of Firearms (1140-AA73)
Rule 1140-AA73 proposes clarifying interstate transportation protections under the Firearm Owners’ Protection Act. The proposal would formally recognize that reasonably necessary travel activities, including staying overnight in temporary lodging, stopping for food or fuel, vehicle maintenance, emergencies, medical treatment, and transiting between modes of transportation, are considered part of protected interstate transport.
What These Gun Law Changes Mean for FFLs
The 34 New Era of Reform actions represent a major change in federal regulatory direction, but many of the most significant changes are still proposals.
For now, FFLs should:
- Continue following existing Form 4473 and background check requirements.
- Follow current acquisition, disposition, and record-retention rules.
- Continue complying with existing CLEO notification requirements.
- Obtain the required certified FFL copy for applicable licensee-to-licensee transfers.
- Monitor final ATF rules instead of treating proposed changes as current law.
- Account for applicable state firearm laws in addition to federal requirements.
This distinction is especially important for compliance. A proposed rule may indicate where the federal government is headed, but it does not replace current law until the rulemaking process is complete.
Stay Compliant With FastBound
Changing firearm regulations make accurate recordkeeping especially important for federal firearms licensees.
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- ATF-compliant Electronic A&D Bound Book
- Electronic Form 4473 with built-in validation
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are all 34 ATF reforms currently in effect?
No. Some actions are final, while many remain proposed. The bump-stock definition change is final, for example, while the stabilizing-brace, CLEO notification, Form 4473, “engaged in the business,” and record-retention changes discussed above remain proposed.
Do I still pay $200 for a suppressor?
No. The NFA making and transfer tax for suppressors is $0 as of January 1, 2026. The same applies to short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and AOWs. Machine guns and destructive devices remain subject to the $200 tax. NFA registration and approval requirements still apply.
Did the new federal reforms eliminate firearm background checks?
No. Existing federal background check requirements remain in effect. The proposed 2026 ATF reforms discussed here do not eliminate NICS requirements for covered firearm transfers.
Is the pistol-brace rule officially rescinded?
Not yet. ATF has proposed rescinding the 2023 rule, but the new rulemaking has not been finalized.
Can an FFL use eZ Check instead of getting a certified FFL copy?
Not under the withdrawn 2026 rule. ATF withdrew the change before it took effect, so existing license-verification requirements remain in place.