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New Suppressor STUCK in Government Shutdown Jai

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https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/380105858/m/5140055715

October 02, 2025, 11:16 PM
Freq Geek
New Suppressor STUCK in Government Shutdown Jai
My new rimfire suppressor has arrived at my LGS. I'm told that my Form 4 will wait until government workers at the ATF are allowed to go back to work. At that time, they'll start working on a backlog of applications. I thought about waiting until the budget is passed to file the Form 4, but that only delays the process more.

The extra wait defeats the purpose of going ahead and paying the $200 for the tax stamp now. I realize that the U.S. budget has nothing to do with my suppressor purchase. My point is, the timing is terrible!


Roger
October 02, 2025, 11:29 PM
P220 Smudge
quote:
Originally posted by Freq Geek:
The extra wait defeats the purpose of going ahead and paying the $200 for the tax stamp now.


I disagree. If this shutdown persists past New Year's, (and I doubt it will), then the queue of people looking to get cans is still going to lengthen exponentially. Could be months, maybe. If you wait until after the new year, then it will be months, and like as not, a waitlist for a backordered can. You've got a can locked in, be happy.

I got two more filed on Monday in the hopes that I'd have at least one approval. Alas, not the case, but I at least know I've got a 5.56 can I've been wanting, and a really good .22 can that will be ready for me as soon as all this nonsense resolves, whenever that is. It was worth the tax stamps to me, and I know, we're basically at the buzzer here. Being among the last of the taxpayers won't be the worst thing ever.


______________________________________________
"If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”

Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
October 03, 2025, 04:32 AM
bryanZ06
Right now I'm waiting on a Form 3 to get it to my dealer to then start my Form 4.

I could be very wrong, but I don't think the shutdown will go past a week or two and if so, you and I will both be a couple of months ahead of the January rush.
October 03, 2025, 06:02 AM
nhracecraft
Not long ago, I recall waiting ALMOST A YEAR to get an approved Form 4 from the NFA Branch!. However long the shutdown lasts, however long it takes to get your approval, it's light years better than my past experience. Your delay, regardless of the duration is just a minor inconvenience...Just sayin' Wink


____________________________________________________________

If Some is Good, and More is Better.....then Too Much, is Just Enough !!
Trump 47....Making America Great Again!
"May Almighty God bless the United States of America" - parabellum 7/26/20
Live Free or Die!
October 03, 2025, 06:48 AM
limblessbiff
quote:
Originally posted by Freq Geek:
My new rimfire suppressor has arrived at my LGS. I'm told that my Form 4 will wait until government workers at the ATF are allowed to go back to work. At that time, they'll start working on a backlog of applications. I thought about waiting until the budget is passed to file the Form 4, but that only delays the process more.

The extra wait defeats the purpose of going ahead and paying the $200 for the tax stamp now. I realize that the U.S. budget has nothing to do with my suppressor purchase. My point is, the timing is terrible!



Dude I’m in the same boat. Only it was by accident, I was expecting to pick up my can Wednesday and now I’m boned until they open the government back up. It sucks
October 03, 2025, 08:04 PM
ibanda
Hoping your wait is short! I think ultimately you'll be happy you pulled the trigger now. I'm forecasting a pretty long approval delay in 2026.

I went deep this summer and bought 5 suppressors. I now have cans for .22/9mm/5.56/3.08. I can sit out 2026 suppressor purchases entirely and just buy ammo. If I get conservative, I might not ever buy another can. I don't see that happening though, they are too much fun.




"The left can't applaud me because their hands are in other people's pockets." - Javier Milei
October 04, 2025, 02:17 PM
fritz
quote:
Originally posted by nhracecraft:
Not long ago, I recall waiting ALMOST A YEAR to get an approved Form 4 from the NFA Branch!. However long the shutdown lasts, however long it takes to get your approval, it's light years better than my past experience. Your delay, regardless of the duration is just a minor inconvenience...Just sayin' Wink

Yep. IIRC my longest wait was around 15 months, for a TBAC 338 can. My latest cans were a few weeks -- it's really not a big deal.
October 18, 2025, 03:22 PM
ibanda
ATF NFA Examiners back in the office on Monday. Gun groups got loud enough that 2nd amendment rights were being violated that they are back to work even though the government shutdown continues.




"The left can't applaud me because their hands are in other people's pockets." - Javier Milei
October 18, 2025, 03:52 PM
P220 Smudge
quote:
Originally posted by ibanda:
ATF NFA Examiners back in the office on Monday. Gun groups got loud enough that 2nd amendment rights were being violated that they are back to work even though the government shutdown continues.


That's damned right. I emailed Andy Biggs about it, told him they can do whatever they need to do in congress, but having the ATF sit on a growing pile of NFA transfers until the dam bursts on New Year's Day was a crime that someone would end up getting sued over.


______________________________________________
"If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”

Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
October 18, 2025, 06:28 PM
nhracecraft
^^ So you're saying you kinda helped 'Smudge' things along then... Wink


____________________________________________________________

If Some is Good, and More is Better.....then Too Much, is Just Enough !!
Trump 47....Making America Great Again!
"May Almighty God bless the United States of America" - parabellum 7/26/20
Live Free or Die!
October 18, 2025, 09:55 PM
P220 Smudge
Haha, I did my part. Razz

I email him about 2A stuff fairly often. Sounds like the combined pressure from everyone made a difference! I’m pleased with this win, hopefully I’ll be picking up a can or two next week!


______________________________________________
"If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”

Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
October 19, 2025, 03:50 PM
Freq Geek
ibanda, thank you for sharing this link.

My Form 4 was submitted October 3. My suppressor should be cleared and ready to go in 7-10 days.

My son and I are already making plans to go shooting.

Father/Son,
Bolt-Action/Semi-Auto
Suppressed/Suppressed

That's my idea of quality family time.


Roger
October 19, 2025, 05:44 PM
P220 Smudge
quote:
Originally posted by Freq Geek:
My suppressor should be cleared and ready to go in 7-10 days.


We have no idea how many processors are actually coming back to work, what their newly-acquired backlog looks like, what order they're going to be processing them, or really anything other than "processors are coming back to work Monday morning."

I'm going to try to keep my expectations at zero and just be thrilled if I get my approvals any time before New Year's. If nothing else, I know I have two cans in the hopper before demand surges.


______________________________________________
"If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”

Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
October 20, 2025, 08:22 AM
P220 Smudge
Woke up to two approval emails. Maybe they’re cooking through ‘em. Razz


______________________________________________
"If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”

Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
October 20, 2025, 10:14 PM
Freq Geek
quote:
Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Woke up to two approval emails. Maybe they’re cooking through ‘em. Razz

P220 Smudge, that is great news!

When did you file your Form 4? Mine was sent on October 3.


Roger
October 20, 2025, 10:17 PM
P220 Smudge
My shop filed both at around 11am Mountain time on 9/29. So, basically under 48 business hours. If processing times are this fast right now, I wouldn't be shocked if you have yours within a few days.


______________________________________________
"If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”

Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
October 22, 2025, 02:32 PM
Dwill104
Not a suppressor, but got an approved F1 that I submitted on 10/3 back today.
October 22, 2025, 03:46 PM
Freq Geek
quote:
Originally posted by Dwill104:
Not a suppressor, but got an approved F1 that I submitted on 10/3 back today.


That is good news for both of us! Based on your Form 1, my Form 4 should be approved very soon, possibly tomorrow.


Roger
October 23, 2025, 09:43 AM
harvey976g
On the silencer shop website they had an announcement that the atf examiners were back at work this past Monday.
October 23, 2025, 01:19 PM
Freq Geek
The ATF has approved my Form 4 suppressor transfer. I will have it very soon!

I envision one more suppressor in my future. It will be for a PCC and will be convertible between 9mm and .45. If I could find a 9mm and 10mm version, I would buy that instead.


Roger