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The Division of Justice says it’s resuming processing for key Nationwide Firearms Act paperwork, bringing reduction to producers, sellers, and patrons who have been frozen out throughout the shutdown.
This comes one week after NSSF urged DOJ to completely reopen ATF’s NFA Division and Imports Department so Kind 2 notifications (manufacture/import), Kind 3 dealer-to-dealer transfers, and Kind 4 client transfers may transfer once more.
After NSSF’s letter to @Justice, @ATF knowledgeable us at present that on Monday, they’ll deliver everybody again to completely workers NFA purposes & licensing. NSSF is deeply grateful to DOJ & ATF for recognizing the significance of guaranteeing #2A rights aren’t held up by federal gov’t shutdowns.
— NSSF—The Firearm Trade Commerce Affiliation (@NSSF) October 17, 2025
In its letter, NSSF argued that halting these workflows “represents an infringement on the Second Modification rights of law-abiding People,” including, “People’ Second Modification rights can’t be suspended as a result of Congress has didn’t fund the federal authorities,” mentioned Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and Common Counsel.
The American Suppressor Affiliation (ASA) additionally pressed for a restart and says the push labored. In response to ASA, “the ATF’s NFA examiners are returning to work to renew the processing of purposes,” after it labored “with the White Home, Workplace of Administration & Price range, Division of Justice, ATF, Home Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, and Rep. Ben Cline.”
ASA referred to as the transfer “a significant win for law-abiding gun homeowners and a win for 2A rights amid the shutdown.”
Home Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan credited swift govt motion.
“When our Committee discovered that the federal workers liable for processing suppressor purposes have been furloughed, we instantly labored with the Trump Administration to make sure our Second Modification rights have been preserved,” he mentioned.
“We’re grateful the Trump Administration took swift motion to right the state of affairs and the processing of purposes will instantly resume,” he added.
Why it issues:
Kind 2 filings preserve the Nationwide Firearms Registration and Switch Document (NFRTR) present so newly made/imported gadgets can legally enter commerce. Kind 3 approvals enable wholesalers and sellers to maintain product shifting to native retailers. Kind 4 approvals are what customers must lawfully take possession of suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns.
NSSF additionally famous that suppressors are authorized in 42 states and utilized by greater than 3 million law-abiding homeowners, and that resuming Kind 4s doesn’t add burden to FBI NICS (which has continued working) since every suppressor switch already requires a background test.
Backside line: DOJ’s determination to restart NFA processing ought to begin unclogging the pipeline for producers, FFLs, and patrons alike.
We’ll watch how shortly ATF examiners chew by means of the backlog and whether or not all NFA/Import features come absolutely on-line as companies settle into their shutdown working posture.
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