In a move that could go down as one of the most important pro-gun victories in modern history, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee has unveiled a new version of the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” – and it includes the total repeal of excise taxes and registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and any other weapons under the National Firearms Act (NFA). This is a full-on strike at one of the oldest federal gun control laws still on the books.
Gun Owners of America (GOA) broke the news on X, calling it a “massive victory for the Second Amendment.” And they’re not exaggerating. This bill doesn’t just chip away at restrictions – it tears out entire sections of the NFA by the roots.
Brandon Herrera: “This Might Be the Win of My Lifetime”
Gun rights advocate Brandon Herrera, also known as “The AK Guy,” posted his own reaction on X. Herrera said, “If we actually get the SHORT Act added to the BBB along with the HPA, this might be the gun rights win of my lifetime.” That’s not a light statement from someone who’s spent years fighting anti-gun legislation.
For those unfamiliar, the SHORT Act would remove SBRs, SBSs, and similar items from the NFA. The Hearing Protection Act (HPA) would do the same for suppressors. Now that both are reportedly folded into the Senate’s version of the BBB, this could be a double knockout against some of the most burdensome firearm regulations ever created.
Mark Smith: This Could Be a Top Five Win for Gun Rights
Mark W. Smith, attorney and host of The Four Boxes Diner, called the Senate’s new draft “fantastic news” in his video report. He explained that the Finance Committee’s bill strikes suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs from the NFA’s definition of “firearm,” leaving only machine guns and destructive devices regulated under that law.
Smith emphasized how historically significant this could be: “This could be one of the biggest wins for the Second Amendment in the 21st century. Certainly in the top five.” That’s coming from a Supreme Court Bar member who routinely covers major 2A cases. For him to rate it that highly tells you just how dramatic the impact could be if this passes.
Jared Yanis: It’s In the Bill – But We’re Not Done Yet
Jared Yanis, host of Guns & Gadgets 2nd Amendment News, gave an extremely detailed breakdown of what’s actually inside the legislation. According to Jared, the new text of the bill changes Section 5845(a) of the NFA to define “firearm” as only machine guns and destructive devices. That’s it. Suppressors, SBRs, SBSs – gone from NFA regulation.
He also noted that GOA, the NRA, the Firearms Policy Coalition, and the American Suppressor Association are all working behind the scenes with Senate staffers to iron out a few final language issues, especially surrounding state-level compliance. As Jared put it, “This is as close as we have ever been to destroying the National Firearms Act.”
What’s Still Missing? The Hearing Protection Act Fix
While the Senate version includes the SHORT Act’s key provisions, Jared highlighted that Section 3 of the Hearing Protection Act still needs to be clarified. Without proper wording, some states could attempt to ban suppressors by saying they’re no longer federally registered – essentially using the federal rollback as an excuse to outlaw them.
But he reassured viewers that GOA is actively fixing this, working with Senate Finance Committee members in real-time. “They’re working on it as I speak,” he said. This isn’t a dead-end – it’s just one more step in the legislative process.
Final Votes Still Needed – It’s Not Law Yet
Both Mark Smith and Jared Yanis stressed one critical point: this bill still has to pass the full Senate, then go back to the House for a final conference version, before it can be signed into law. Even though the Senate version solves problems the House version didn’t, they must eventually match up.
The good news? Because this is a tax and spending bill, it only requires a simple majority in the Senate, not the usual 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. That makes passage much more likely. Still, as Jared reminded his viewers, “The game’s not over. The fat lady is warming up her vocal cords, but she hasn’t sung yet.”
Amnesty Concerns? Here’s Why You Might Not Need One
One of the smartest takes came from Mark Smith, who addressed a concern many gun owners are quietly wondering about: “Will I be a felon if I own a suppressor or SBR before the law changes?” Smith’s answer: Probably not – and here’s why.
He explained that the NFA is part of the Internal Revenue Code (Title 26), not general criminal law. That means violations have a three-year statute of limitations. If the BBB passes and the law changes in, say, July 2025, any past NFA violations would expire by July 2028 – likely while a friendly Trump or Trump-aligned administration is still in office.
So unless the DOJ under a future administration went out of its way to resurrect old cases, Smith believes gun owners won’t need a formal amnesty program. “Don’t stress, you’ll be fine,” he said confidently.
GOA and Other Groups Deserve Credit
This progress didn’t come out of nowhere. Gun Owners of America made it clear on X that this moment was the result of enormous grassroots effort. Thousands of gun owners called, emailed, and messaged their senators and representatives, demanding the repeal of the NFA’s overreach.
According to Jared Yanis, GOA wasn’t alone. The NRA-ILA, Second Amendment Foundation, Firearms Policy Coalition, ASA, and a long list of state-level gun rights groups were instrumental. “Everyone’s working together on this – and it’s been beautiful to watch,” he said.
Federal Law Isn’t the Final Word in Every State
One challenge still looming is how state laws will react to the federal changes. Some states require NFA registration as a condition for ownership. If suppressors or SBRs are no longer federally registered, states might claim that you can’t legally own them at all.
To stop this, the Senate’s version includes language stating that anyone who complies with federal law will be treated as meeting state-level registration requirements. That’s an essential line of defense against backdoor bans in places like California, New York, and Illinois. But it has to be airtight – and that’s where the ongoing fixes are still underway.
From Here to the Finish Line: What Gun Owners Should Do
Jared Yanis made a strong call to action: “We still need to push.” Now is not the time to sit back and celebrate. With just a few steps left, gun owners across the country should keep up the pressure, especially on House Republicans who hesitated to include the SHORT Act originally.
“Call your senators. Hit them on social media. Tell them you support this, and thank them for doing it,” Jared said. Every phone call counts right now. As he put it: “This is the second half of the game. Let’s finish it.”
This Could Unravel a Century of Gun Control
From my perspective, this moment is nothing short of historic. The National Firearms Act of 1934 has haunted American gun owners for generations. It was passed under the guise of taxing gangster weapons – but in reality, it became a tool to suppress ordinary citizens’ rights to own common, useful firearms.
This new bill is more than just a tax rollback. It’s a philosophical rejection of the idea that government gets to decide what’s “safe” for civilians to own. And it sends a message: we’re done playing defense. We’re rolling back bad laws, not just fighting new ones.
Close, But Not Finished
This is the closest the gun rights community has ever been to gutting the heart of the NFA. With the Senate version including both the SHORT Act and most of the Hearing Protection Act, and with widespread backing from GOA, the NRA, SAF, and others, the momentum is undeniable.
Still, there’s work to do. The bill must pass the full Senate, survive reconciliation with the House version, and get signed into law. But if that happens, 2025 could be remembered as the year America finally took a sledgehammer to the NFA – and brought back freedom one suppressed shot at a time.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.