Based on the suppressor application numbers the past few weeks, there have been at least 200,000 Form 4 submissions filed since January 1, when the $200 tax was removed from the application process.
A National Shooting Sports Foundation industry alert stated that 150,000 eForms were submitted on January 1 alone, compared to an average daily volume of 2,500.
“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has acknowledged to the National Shooting Sports Foundation an unprecedented surge in e-Forms submissions that is impacting system performance. On January 1 alone, ATF processed approximately 150,000 e-Forms, compared to a typical daily volume of around 2,500.
As a result of this volume, ATF is experiencing intermittent IT system glitches and delays that are affecting industry members nationwide. ATF has emphasized that it is actively working to address these technical issues and is engaging directly with affected industry members to resolve problems as quickly as possible,” according to the release.
Despite the surge, applicants have reportedly been approved to own silencers and other NFA items in less than 48 hours, so many applications are being worked through the system.
According to Paul Erhardt of the Outdoor Wire, “There’s little doubt that 2026 will be the year of the suppressor … Buck Steele, President of Anechoic, sees 2026 as a year in which suppressor sales will double in volume over 2024 or 2025 numbers. He says the biggest growth segment will be the lower-priced $300 suppressors, where the removal of the Tax Stamp means there is no longer a 66-percent government markup.”
Hunters are making up more and more of the suppressor market. NSSF’s study of suppressor consumers found 30 percent responded that hunting was their primary reason for purchase, coming in second behind recreational shooting (39%).
And this isn’t lost on suppressor makers. They’ve taken note and are responding with products specifically designed for hunters.
