Suppressor Sales Exploding in 2026 — A Record Year in the Making

All signs point to 2026 being a banner year for suppressor sales. According to the latest NFA Processing Times & Statistics report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the agency has already received 464,746 Form 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 applications since January 1. Of those, 325,075 have already been processed, with an average turnaround time of about 10 days—a dramatic improvement compared to years past.

When isolating just Form 4 suppressor transfer applications, the numbers are staggering:

• 240,270 Form 4s submitted so far in 2026

• That’s 394% higher than the 2025 monthly average

• It represents roughly one-third of all suppressor Form 4s filed in all of 2025

  
  

For perspective, there were 731,623 tax-paid Form 4 suppressor transfers in the entire 2025 calendar year. That’s a lot of cans—and we’re just getting started. As of January 5, 2026, the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) shows:

• 5,776,685 suppressors registered nationwide

• 1,973,702 registered to trusts or corporate entities

• 1,891,352 registered to individuals

• 1,461,118 held by FFL/SOT dealers

• 443,872 registered to government, military, and law enforcement

  
  

That means civilian ownership—excluding dealer inventory—vastly outweighs government suppressor holdings. The American public clearly understands what suppressors actually are: hearing protection devices that reduce noise, improve shooting comfort, and enhance safety. Still rookie numbers, folks. Pump it up.

If you’ve been thinking about getting into the suppressor game, there has never been a better time. 2 If By Sea Tactical is your one-stop shop for all things NFA in Southern Minnesota. You don’t have to leave. You don’t have to hunt down paperwork. You don’t have to figure it out alone. We are here to help you. 

We have:

• ✔ Stock a strong inventory of suppressors

• ✔ Walk you through the entire Form 4 process

• ✔ Handle fingerprints and required documentation

• ✔ Provide guidance on trusts vs. individual filings

• ✔ Stay up to date on ATF processing trends

  
  

We’re here to make the process smooth and straightforward from start to finish. Suppressor ownership is growing faster than ever—and processing times are the fastest they’ve been in years. Stop in, check out our inventory, ask questions, and let our team help you through the process. 2 If By Sea Tactical is Southern Minnesota’s source for all things 2A.  As your Premier Indoor Range & Store and trusted NFA headquarters, we are here to help you exercise your rights each and every day.  We cannot wait to help you!

Here at 2 If By Sea Tactical we strive to bring you the best experience in the firearms world.  As we continue to grow the media arm of 2 If By Sea, make sure you keep tuning in to our Youtube and Rumble channels and right here at “The Patriot’s Almanac” to stay informed on the latest happenings in the firearm world! But we are not lawyers, so this isn't legal guidance. We are proud to be Southern Minnesota source for all things 2A.

Stay sharp, stay informed, and stay ready.