Arkansas/Texas Gun Owners See Relief as Suppressor Tax Ends

Gun owners in Arkansas, Texas, and nationwide are seeing a significant change in federal firearms policy following the elimination of the long-standing $200 tax stamp required to purchase firearm suppressors. The change is part of the federal budget package known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill", which took effect at the start of the new year.

The move removes a decades-old financial requirement tied to suppressor ownership, significantly reducing costs for lawful buyers while keeping federal oversight largely intact.

What Changed for Texans and Arkansans Under the New Federal Law

Under the new law, the $200 federal excise tax once required for suppressors, commonly referred to as “silencers”, has been reduced to $0 nationwide. The tax was collected by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) as part of the approval process for certain regulated firearms and accessories.

What Requirements Still Apply

Despite the tax removal, federal paperwork requirements remain unchanged. Buyers must still:

Submit ATF forms
Provide fingerprints and photographs
Pass a background check

All of that must be done and submitted before approval is granted through the ATF. Herein lies the issue: On January 1, 2026, the ATF went from around 2,500 applications per day during 2025 to 150,000 applications in one day. I have no idea what that number is up to now, or how far behind the ATF might be in processing all those applications.

What This Means for Arkansas and Texas Gun Owners

Firearm retailers in Arkansas and Texas are reporting a massive surge in suppressor interest, as shooting enthusiasts now save $200 per item. Take a number and be patient, the Feds are most likely serving customer #387,522. This... is going to be a slow process.

READ MORE: Arkansas Is Watching You

Overall, this tax removal is still a great benefit for Americans like me who enjoy the shooting sports, but could also use some noise relief. The common misconception is that firearm suppressors render the weapon silent; nothing could be further from the truth. Hearing protection is still needed to safely enjoy the shooting sports, hunting, and recreational shooting, just not as much.