New England's only authorized Vulcan Machine Werks dealer · NFA / SOT Dealer
S&S Sticks & Stones Email for Quote
NFA & Suppressors Transfers FAQ About Contact Policies
NFA / Suppressors

NFA Items & Suppressors

Everything that happens between picking a can and taking it home — the tax stamp, the Form 4, and the SOT transfer we run for you.

A suppressor (silencer) is a federally regulated NFA item. Buying one is straightforward once you know the steps — and at Sticks & Stones we run the whole transfer in-house as a licensed SOT, so the paperwork isn't on you to figure out.

What is an NFA item?

The National Firearms Act (NFA) is a federal law that regulates a specific category of items — most relevantly suppressors (silencers), but also short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and a few others. NFA items are legal to own in most states, but they're registered with the ATF and transfer differently from an ordinary firearm: there's a dedicated ATF application and an approved background check before you can take possession.

The tax stamp is now $0

This is the big change for 2026. The NFA transfer tax on suppressors used to be a one-time $200 federal tax — the "tax stamp." As of January 1, 2026, that federal transfer tax on suppressors is $0. You still get an approved tax stamp on your Form 4; it just no longer costs anything. The rest of the process — registration, the application, and the background check — is unchanged.

ATF Form 4

The transfer of a suppressor from our shop to you is done on an ATF Form 4 (Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of a Firearm). It captures your information and the item's registration details, and is submitted to the ATF for approval (with the tax now set at $0). Today most Form 4s are filed electronically through the ATF's eForms system, which has meaningfully shortened approval times compared to the old paper process.

How the SOT / FFL transfer works

Because we're a licensed FFL and SOT (Special Occupational Taxpayer), we can transfer NFA items directly. Here's the path from "I want this can" to "it's mine":

  1. Pick your suppressor & confirm pricingChoose an in-stock can and we confirm your out-the-door price — with a $0 federal tax stamp in 2026.
  2. Start your Form 4 with usWe help you complete the ATF Form 4, fingerprints and photos — in store or guided remotely.
  3. File your Form 4 ($0 tax stamp)Your application goes to the ATF with the federal transfer tax now set at $0.
  4. ATF review & background checkThe ATF processes the application and runs the required background check. This is the wait.
  5. Approval & pickupOnce your Form 4 is approved, you take possession of your suppressor. We'll let you know the moment it clears.

Approximate timelines

Approval times are set by the ATF, not by us, and they change. Historically Form 4 approvals took many months; with electronic eForm 4 filing, recent approvals have ranged from a few days to several weeks for many applicants, though individual cases vary. We'll give you a realistic, current estimate when you start your transfer — and we'll keep you posted while it's in process.

🎯
Ready to browse what's in stock? See our live in-stock suppressors from Maxim Defense, CAT, Dead Air, Q and Otter Creek — every can ready to order, with the Form 4 and tax stamp handled here. Questions about timelines or eligibility are covered in the FAQ.

Eligibility & the basics

  • You must be at least 21 to acquire a suppressor from a dealer, and legally eligible to possess a firearm.
  • Suppressors are not legal to own in every state — we transfer only where lawful. We'll confirm your state before you commit.
  • NFA items cannot ship to your home; they transfer through a licensed SOT/FFL after your approved Form 4.
  • Individual ownership, a gun trust and other entities each have tradeoffs — we can talk through what fits your situation.
✉️
Have a question about a specific can or your state? Email sticksandstonesweapons@gmail.com or use our contact page — we're happy to walk you through it.

This page is general information, not legal advice. NFA rules and ATF processing times change; we'll confirm the current requirements and timelines for your specific transfer before you commit.