Machine guns. Short-barreled rifles. Silencers. Everything a firearm enthusiast would love, trapped behind the designation as an NFA item.
At first, NFA guns and accessories might seem complicated. However, it’s actually a lot more straightforward than you think. Here’s our guide to everything you need to know about purchasing NFA items.
“NFA” is an acronym for “National Firearms Act”. This specifically refers to the National Firearms Act of 1934, where multiple guns and attachments were designated for regulation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). Those regulated firearms and accessories are the “items” of “ATF items”, and owning one requires re-registering the firearm and buying a $200 tax stamp. ATF items are also referred to as “Class III” items.
The original National Firearms Act was passed to help fight the organized crime that flourished during prohibition, who were known for carrying and using the designated items. Even though it’s been almost a century since the law was passed, these firearms and attachments remain regulated as NFA guns and accessories. More have been added since via laws from Congress and rulings from government departments and bureaus. But what are the specific items regulated through the NFA?
Currently, you can register or purchase NFA items in these categories:
You’ve probably noticed that these categories seem a bit vague. Shotguns and rifles are straightforward, but what about “destructive devices”? Or, even worse, “all other weapons”, which sounds like it could refer to any weapon at all?
This vague language is the first challenge people run into when purchasing NFA items. Let’s clear up what each one means:
The sawed-off shotgun is one of the most iconic firearms in media. It was also one of the weapons of choice of mobsters. Gangsters would either saw off the barrels of full-length shotguns or buy factory short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) for their easy concealability.
Like short-barreled and sawed-off shotguns, short-barreled rifles (SBRs) were easy for mobsters to conceal like a handgun without compromising on the better control and firepower of a rifle. But while SBSs are now far less common than they used to be, SBRs have become one of the most popular NFA items to purchase in the past few decades. This is due to the success of the AR-15 rifle. The AR-15 can have virtually every part of it easily swapped out and replaced, which led to some shooters swapping the barrels for shorter ones. While this is legal to do, you must pay for a $200 tax stamp.
Just remember that an AR-15 SBR is different from an AR-15 pistol. The legal distinction is the stock. AR-15 SBRs have stocks used for shouldering, but AR-15 pistols use pistol braces that strap to your forearm. That’s because they’re designed to meet the legal definition of a “pistol”, which is a firearm meant to be operated with only one hand. Because they’re pistols, the barrel length limitation for rifles doesn’t apply to them. You need a tax stamp for an AR-15 SBR; you do not need one for an AR-15 pistol.
While purchasing NFA items can be a maze with precise measurements and banned attachments, machine guns are pretty simple NFA guns to define. If you pull a rifle trigger and it fires only one bullet, it’s a semi-automatic rifle. If you pull the trigger and more than one bullet fires (either in a burst or continuously until the trigger is released), it’s a machine gun.
Any Other Weapons (AOWs) are any devices that are:
This is a very broad category. Anything from cane guns to handguns with smooth-bore barrels are considered AOWs. If the device doesn’t seem to fit any specific type of gun, it’s probably an AOW and requires purchasing an NFA item stamp for it.
To put it simply, suppressors are any barrel attachments designed to reduce the sound of your shooting. There are other types of attachments, such as muzzle brakes and flash hiders, that do not require tax stamps but may still have some overlap with suppressors.
(Note: nothing will completely silence a gun, but some attachments may reduce the sound).
Whether it’s an incendiary device, grenade, gas, or anything else that explodes, it’s considered a “destructive device” and requires a special NFA tax stamp. This includes rockets, missiles with an explosive charge greater than 1/4 ounce, and weapons designed to launch explosives through a smooth-bore barrel (such as a grenade launcher). This does not include (legally available) fireworks or other small explosives.
First, make sure that the NFA items you’re interested in are legal in your local area. State and local laws may prohibit weapons that are federally legal. If they’re banned where you live, you can’t legally own or register an NFA item.
If they are legal, though, you have two options: make and register your own gun, or purchase one. If you make your own NFA gun (either by modifying a standard firearm or building one from scratch), you must file an ATF Form 1 and pay a $200 fee. After it’s approved, you’re good to go!
If you’re just purchasing an NFA item, it’s even easier. The person you buy it from needs to fill out and submit an ATF Form 4 and pay either a $5 fee for AOWs or a $200 fee for all other NFA items. Once the application is approved, the weapon is yours.
At Sportsman’s Outdoor Superstore, we offer more than just NFA items. Our gun store features a massive collection of guns for sale curated for shooters from every background. Whether you’re a hunter getting a pump-action shotgun or purchasing NFA items you can’t find anywhere else, buy guns online at competitive prices at Sportsman’s Outdoor Superstore.
Mike Thompson is an avid outdoorsman and firearms enthusiast. With years of experience in hunting and shooting sports, he offers insights on gear reviews, safety tips, and hunting strategies. When he's not writing, you'll find him exploring new trails or honing his marksmanship.
