ATF said Friday that, effective October 9th, it will no longer require NFA approval or registration for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and “any other weapons.” North Carolina law still applies. The politicians also zeroed out the state gas tax through November, while the House still hasn’t held its override vote on Freedom to Carry NC.

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ATF made the biggest gun news of the week on Friday, Oct. 9, and it comes with a North Carolina catch. And on Wednesday, the politicians showed us what this General Assembly can do in a single day when leadership wants something done.

ATF stops requiring NFA approval for suppressors. North Carolina law hasn’t changed.

ATF’s director put out an open letter Friday saying that, effective October 9th, ATF “will no longer require individuals to seek ATF approval under the NFA before making or transferring short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, silencers, and ‘any other weapon[s].'” It won’t require registration either, and the policy applies “to anyone otherwise subject to these requirements, not just to the plaintiffs in the litigation.” But ATF’s letter does not make these items legal in states that still regulate or ban them. If your state restricts suppressors, short-barreled rifles or shotguns, or “any other weapons,” that state law still applies, and you can still be charged under it.

That’s a huge win, and it grew out of the $0 tax Congress passed last year and an August ruling by a federal court in Texas that only covered the plaintiffs. It’s ATF’s enforcement policy, not a repeal of the law, and machine guns and destructive devices are excluded. Background checks and dealer records stay in place, and ATF says to keep filing a Form 20 before taking a short-barreled rifle or shotgun across state lines.

It’s federal only, and North Carolina law still applies. Our “weapon of mass death and destruction” law ties back to NFA compliance, and ATF notes that state laws like that often exempt items registered under federal law. So don’t assume you’re covered, and check with a lawyer or local law enforcement before you act on this.

The gas tax is off through November

Speaker Destin Hall and Senate Leader Phil Berger called the session for one purpose, fuel costs. Relief at the Pump sets the 41-cent state gas tax to zero through November 30th and passed the House 111 to 1 and the Senate 41 to 0. According to news reports, it became law Oct. 9 and takes effect Oct. 10.

Freedom to Carry NC is still waiting

But the Senate overrode the veto on Freedom to Carry NC back on July 29th, 2025, 30 to 19, and the House still hasn’t held its override vote. So permitless carry is not law in North Carolina. The House can bring it up on any regular session day before it adjourns, and if it doesn’t, the bill dies when the session ends.

From the federal side

Carry in national park visitor centers? DOJ has reportedly argued in a Texas case that lawful self-defense carry is allowed in park buildings open to the public, like visitor centers in the Great Smoky Mountains and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. There’s no ruling and the Park Service hasn’t changed its guidance, so it isn’t settled law.

The North Carolina Firearms Coalition will keep the pressure on until the House holds that vote.

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For Freedom,
Chris Dorr
Director
North Carolina Firearms Coalition