Last updated: October 12, 2026 On October 9, 2026, ATF Director Robert Cekada issued an open letter to all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) and the public that changes how the National Firearms Act (NFA) works for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and "any other weapons" (AOWs). Effective that day, ATF no longer requires approval before these items are made or transferred, and no longer requires them to be registered in the National Firearms Registratio …

There's no denying the appeal of a compact AR-15. Shorter barrels make rifles easier to maneuver in tight spaces, more comfortable to transport, and increasingly popular among home defense enthusiasts, competitive shooters, and military veterans who appreciate the familiar feel of a shorter platform. But in the United States, shrinking an AR-15's barrel below a specific threshold doesn't just change how the rifle handles — it fundamentally changes what the rifle is under federal law. Welco …