In 2022, the ATF changed the procedures for filling out a Form 1 to make your own silencer. The ATF denied about 850 applications. The ATF claimed "Solvent Traps" were actually suppressors, and started denying Form 1 applications, and requiring much more information about how a silencer was to be manufactured, and what parts would be used to make the silencer. Senators and representatives sent two letters, one from representatives, and one from senators to the Biden ATF asking for clarifications of what the ATF was doing. Here is an excerpt from the Senate letter submitted to ATF on March 16, 2022
We request answers to the following questions:
We request answers to these questions no later than March 31, 2022.
It appears the ATF never replied to the Senate or House of Representative's letters. Perhaps an informed reader knows of some clarification of the Form 1 process. Clarification would be good to receive, now that the Trump administration is reforming the ATF.
When this correspondent filled out several Form 1 applications in 2021, the process was simple and fairly straightforward. The only information which was required about the silencer being made was length and caliber.
The number of Form 1 applications soared in 2023, almost certainly in response to the ATF pistol brace initiative. This makes if difficult to see how many Form 1's were submitted for silencers/suppressors. This correspondent has not been able to determine if the Biden era initiative and its burdensome requirements continue in use during the Trump Administration.
The Trump administration worked hard to remove silencers/suppressors, short barreled shotguns, short barreled rifles, and any other weapons except machine guns and destructive devices from the National Firearms Act. Because of the ruling of the Senate parliamentarian, they were unable to remove those items at this time. They were successful in reducing the taxes on those items to zero dollars.
The reform of the NFA in President Trump's Big Beautiful Bill will reduce the taxes required for making your own silencer to zero dollars, as of January 1, 2026. This creates an incentive for more people to make their own silencers/suppressors.
By January 1, 2026, some clarification of the process for submitting Form 1's to the ATF to make silencers/suppressors should be made public by the new, improved Trump administration's ATF.
© 2025 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.