Buying a suppressor in 2026 is easier, cheaper, and faster than it has ever been.
With the change of the ATF's Tax Stamp fee from $200 to $0 at the first of the year, the ATF has been overrun with Form submissions. This has pushed them to streamline the electronic approval process. I have seen Form 4s approved in less than 24 hours. While some forms are still taking a couple weeks to be approved, it sure beats the old norm of 12+ months.
1. Research and purchase your silencer.
You can purchase from a dealer in store or from Silencershop.com. It is important to do your research and pick the silencer that most fits your needs. There are generally no returns on silencers.
2. Use a Silencer Shop Kiosk.
The Silencer Shop Kiosk captures your fingerprints electronically and adds them to your Silencer Shop account.
3. Add a photo to your Silencer Shop account.
Download the Silencer Shop app from the app store and upload your photo or email it to photo@silencershop.com. Your photo should be a mugshot/passport style photo. It should be against a plain, light colored wall and you should not wear a hat or sunglasses.
4. Sign the DocuSign.
Silencer Shop will email you a DocuSign. Review it and sign it on you computer or phone.
5. Create an ATF eForms account.
Go to the ATF eForms website and create an account. Be sure to use the same email address that you used for your Silencer Shop account. Also be sure to use your full name. Write down the username that they email you and the pin number that you create. You will need those for step 6!
6. Certify your Form 4
This is the final submission step. Once Silencer Shop has prepared and reviewed your Form 4 it will be ready to certify. Certification can be done over the phone if you have a laptop or in person. You will need your eForms username and pin number.
Wait, wait, wait.....Wait on the ATF.
7. Fill out the 4473 and pick up your silencer!
When your Form 4 is approved your dealer will call to let you know you can pick it up. You will need to bring your (valid and up-to-date) driver’s license and fill out the form 4473 (the same form as buying a gun).