How to Buy a Suppressor in 2026 (and What It Costs)

Short answer (checked 20 October 2026): since October 9, 2026, ATF does not enforce the NFA's approval, registration or tax-stamp rules for suppressors, and the tax is $0. Federally, you now buy one from a dealer like any other gun: a Form 4473 and a background check, from a dealer in your state. State law still applies: suppressors are legal to own in 42 states, and some states tie legality to federal registration, which you can still file voluntarily. In our catalog, rimfire suppressors start around $359 and most rifle suppressors run about $550 to $1,900.

This is general information, not legal advice. The rules changed in October 2026 and can change again.

The steps

1. Check your state

The American Suppressor Association counts 42 states that allow civilian ownership. ATF says its guidance "does not supersede state and local laws", and some state laws allow a suppressor only if it is registered or lawful under federal law. If yours does, register it (step 4).

2. Pick a suppressor and a mount

Match the bore to your caliber: a .22 can for 5.56, a .30 caliber can for .308 and 300 Blackout. Direct-thread suppressors screw onto a threaded barrel; quick-detach (QD) models clamp onto a matching muzzle device or mount, which you buy separately. See how suppressors work and check your barrel thread size first.

3. Buy at a dealer

ATF tells dealers to handle suppressors like any other firearm: keep records, complete a Form 4473 and, unless exempt, run a NICS background check. Dealers generally sell only to residents of their own state, so an online order ships to a dealer near you. There is no ATF approval to wait for.

4. Register? It is optional federally

ATF still keeps the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record and approves NFA forms for people who want to file them, at $0 tax. Reasons to file: your state requires it, or you want a record in case federal enforcement resumes.

What changed, and the risk

Congress cut the NFA making and transfer tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and "any other weapons" to $0. A federal court then barred enforcement of the NFA's making, registration and transfer-tax rules for those items for the plaintiffs and their members and customers, and ATF chose to stop enforcing them for everyone from October 9, 2026. Machine guns and destructive devices still carry the $200 tax and full NFA rules.

ATF warns that enforcement could resume if Congress imposes a new tax, the court order is overturned, or the department rescinds the policy, and that the NFA treats unregistered NFA firearms as contraband with felony penalties. See ATF's guidance and FAQ, and our SBR guide for the same rules applied to short barrels.

What a suppressor costs

• The suppressor: in our catalog on 20 October 2026, rimfire models start around $359, 5.56 rifle suppressors around $550, and the most expensive listing was about $1,900; the median was about $900.
• A mount: QD suppressors need a matching mount or muzzle device, for example SilencerCo's Bravo ASR mount.
• Federal tax: $0.
• Dealer transfer fee: set by the dealer if you buy online.

Suppressors, with today's prices

Lowest price across the stores we track:

Compare every suppressor and muzzle device.

Frequently asked questions

Do you still need a Form 4 to buy a suppressor?

Not federally since October 9, 2026: ATF does not enforce the approval requirement. Filing is voluntary, and some states require registration.

Is there still a $200 tax stamp on suppressors?

No. The tax is $0. The $200 tax remains only for machine guns and destructive devices.

Do I still need a background check?

Yes. A dealer completes a Form 4473 and, unless you are exempt, runs a NICS check, as with any firearm.

How much does a suppressor cost?

In our catalog on 20 October 2026, about $359 and up for rimfire and about $550 to $1,900 for rifle suppressors, plus a mount for QD models.

Can I buy a suppressor online?

Yes, from a retailer that ships to a dealer in your state, who does the paperwork.

Which states allow suppressors?

The American Suppressor Association counts 42 states that allow civilian ownership. Check your state's law, including whether it requires federal registration.

Could the rules change back?

Yes. ATF says enforcement could resume if Congress adds a tax, the court order is overturned or the policy is rescinded.