The Department of Justice says it’s resuming processing for key National Firearms Act paperwork, bringing relief to manufacturers, dealers, and buyers who were frozen out during the shutdown.
This comes one week after NSSF urged DOJ to fully reopen ATF’s NFA Division and Imports Branch so Form 2 notifications (manufacture/import), Form 3 dealer-to-dealer transfers, and Form 4 consumer transfers could move again.
After NSSF’s letter to @Justice, @ATF informed us today that on Monday, they’ll bring everyone back to fully staff NFA applications & licensing. NSSF is deeply grateful to DOJ & ATF for recognizing the importance of ensuring #2A rights aren’t held up by federal gov’t shutdowns.
— NSSF—The Firearm Industry Trade Association (@NSSF) October 17, 2025
In its letter, NSSF argued that halting these workflows “represents an infringement on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans,” adding, “Americans’ Second Amendment rights cannot be suspended because Congress has failed to fund the federal government,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel.
The American Suppressor Association (ASA) also pressed for a restart and says the push worked. According to ASA, “the ATF’s NFA examiners are returning to work to resume the processing of applications,” after it worked “with the White House, Office of Management & Budget, Department of Justice, ATF, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, and Rep. Ben Cline.”
ASA called the move “a major win for law-abiding gun owners and a win for 2A rights amid the shutdown.”
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan credited swift executive action.
“When our Committee found out that the federal employees responsible for processing suppressor applications were furloughed, we immediately worked with the Trump Administration to ensure our Second Amendment rights were preserved,” he said.
“We are thankful the Trump Administration took swift action to correct the situation and the processing of applications will immediately resume,” he added.
Why it matters:
- Form 2 filings keep the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) current so newly made/imported items can legally enter commerce.
- Form 3 approvals allow wholesalers and dealers to keep product moving to local retailers.
- Form 4 approvals are what consumers need to lawfully take possession of suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns.
NSSF also noted that suppressors are legal in 42 states and used by more than 3 million law-abiding owners, and that resuming Form 4s does not add burden to FBI NICS (which has continued operating) since each suppressor transfer already requires a background check.
Bottom line: DOJ’s decision to restart NFA processing should start unclogging the pipeline for manufacturers, FFLs, and buyers alike.
We’ll watch how quickly ATF examiners chew through the backlog and whether all NFA/Import functions come fully online as agencies settle into their shutdown operating posture.
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