Silencer Central Archives -

Suppressors Being Removed From ITAR

Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central, is reporting that suppressors will be removed from the State Department’s United States Munitions List. This would mean that they are no longer subject to ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations).

While many hunters took their suppressors with them when hunting overseas, they risked having them confiscated upon return to the United States depending on their port of entry. I’ve heard that customs officials in places like Atlanta would look the other way while in others they would not. As a result, the best advice for hunters wanting to use a suppressor in say South Africa was to buy one there and leave it with your outfitter. Indeed, that is exactly what I am doing this year.

Silencer Central has a page dedicated to what this means here.

The only question I have is when it will become effective. His announcement didn’t give time frame for when this will happen. Nonetheless, this is good news.

ATF Blackout Starts December 26th

The ATF has an announced blackout on processing NFA items from December 26th at midnight until January 1, 2026. The purpose as Brandon Maddox explains below is to update the system for the new zero tax for suppressors, short barreled rifles and shotguns, and any other weapons.

I noticed that the Department of Justice has filed replies in both Silencer Central Foundation et al v. BATFE and Brown et al v. BATFE. The first case is the one brought by GOA and others while the second was the coalition of the NRA, SAF, FPC, and American Suppressor Association. Disappointingly, the DOJ argues the zero tax is irrelevant and doesn’t do away with the need for registration. I will be having a post on both of those after I have studied them.