October 16, 2025

NSSF Urges Justice Department to Resume NFA and Import Processing During Federal Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF^®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, urged the Department of Justice (DOJ), in a letter, to fully reopen the National Firearms Act (NFA) Division and the Import branch of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The processing of Import permits and NFA forms are legally required for firearm industry members to provide certain firearms to law-abiding Americans wishing to exercise their Second Amendment rights during the current lapse in government funding, that shows no sign of ending any time soon.

Processing of applications for Import permits and NFA forms have been suspended since the federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1, 2025. Background checks for firearm transfers have remained operational through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), as it is deemed essential to ensure law-abiding citizens can freely exercise their Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms. However, additional processing requirements for lawful transfers of suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and manufacture and import notifications are in limbo until the federal government is reopened.

“While we understand the operational challenges that arise during a lapse in federal funding, the complete cessation of commercial Imports and the processing of NFA items represents an infringement on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Americans’ Second Amendment rights cannot be suspended because Congress has failed to fund the federal government.”

Suppressors are legal to own in 42 states and are used by over 3 million law-abiding guns owners. That figure continues to grow annually. Suppressors are critical to preserving hearing for hunters, recreational shooters and range personnel.

NSSF pointed out that FBI NICS background checks are currently still being conducted, which are required for every suppressor transfer. Resuming Form 4 processing for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns would not place additional burdens on the background check infrastructure, nor would it require additional staffing by FBI NICS.

Continued processing of Form 2 manufacture and import notifications is critical to ensure that the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) remains up to date, to allow for the transfer of newly manufactured or imported NFA items throughout any shutdown period. Coordinately, continued processing of Form 3 applications for transfers between licensees is critical to ensure that products remain available for customers who may wish to exercise their Second Amendment rights by purchasing an NFA item at their local firearms retailer.

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About NSSF
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org.

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Media contact:
Mark Oliva
202-220-1340

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