ATF Announces eForm Blackout for End of Year

For the last few years, suppressors have gained in popularity. Part of this is due to shooters realizing their benefits for recoil and safety. However, some of it has come from a push from the industry to simplify the process, as well as to remove them from the National Firearms Act. 

While the Big, Beautiful Bill did not move suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns down to the ATF form 4473, it did remove the $200 tax required for purchase. While this will be great for shooters as of Jan. 1, 2026, it has slowed both sales and applications of these items. Many expect a surge of applications come the first of the year, including the ATF. Because of this, the ATF will conduct a eForm blackout before the end of the year. 

ATF eForm Blackout

The ATF has announced that it will stop processing eForms starting midnight on Dec. 26, 2025, until midnight Jan. 1, 2026. The agency is conducting this eForm blackout in anticipation of a surge once the $0 tax is implemented. 

As part of the eForm blackout, the ATF plans to improve the eForms portal website performance and security. The ATF also plans to modify their internal workflow to process eForms as quickly as possible. This should help process applications quicker going forward. Hopefully, this will decrease processing times in 2026. 

Moving Forward

As part of the eForms blackout, the ATF has put out advice for moving forward. According to the ATF, no forms can be submitted or certified during the blackout. Also, any eForms in draft as of Dec. 26 will be deleted. However, any eForms submitted and certified before Dec. 26 will be reviewed before Dec. 29. 

During this time, any eForms with a delayed background check will be held until Dec. 30. This is to allow time for FBI clearance. If not cleared, they will be denied and returned without action. Denials will be processed last. The ATF expects to be done with those by Dec. 30. 

Avoiding the Rush 

While no one knows for sure if there will be a surge of applications come Jan. 1, most believe this will happen. If the ATF is able to streamline the process, wait times might not skyrocket. Unfortunately, it could happen. 

Those who want to beat the surge can purchase suppressors, SBRs and SBSs and apply before the eForms blackout on Dec. 26. Wait times are currently under a week for both trusts and individual purchases. Those purchasers will have to pay the $200 tax, though. 

Some larger suppressor companies, however, have been paying the $200 for purchasers, or providing $200 rebates or gift cards. A $200 tax on a $1,200 suppressor doesn’t seem like much, especially if the company if offsetting the tax. Applying before the eForms blackout, however, might be the best way to avoid a wait after the first of the year.