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American suppressor makers just got some welcome news.
The Trump administration has finalized a long-awaited rule change that moves suppressor export licensing from the State Department to the Commerce Department, a move the firearm industry says will make it much easier for U.S. manufacturers to compete overseas.
The change completes a regulatory overhaul that first began during President Trump’s first term in 2020. While firearms, ammunition and many accessories had already transitioned to the Commerce Control List (CCL), suppressors remained behind. Until now.
NSSF praised the move, calling it a major win for American manufacturers.
The Final Rules are a tremendous boost to ensure American suppressor manufacturers can compete on an even playing field in overseas markets,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence Keane.
According to NSSF, the previous export rules treated suppressors as U.S. Munitions List items, creating costly licensing requirements that made exporting them commercially difficult. Under the new rules, suppressors will now be regulated through the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security instead.
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Keane also noted that suppressors are viewed much differently in many parts of the world than they are in the United States.
“In most of the world, recreational marksmen and women and hunters typically use suppressors that they can buy at a local hardware store or sporting goods retailer,” he said.
The announcement comes on the heels of another major change for suppressor owners. Earlier this year, Congress eliminated the long-standing $200 transfer tax on suppressors.
However, suppressors are still regulated under the National Firearms Act, meaning buyers must continue navigating the federal registration process. NSSF says it will continue pushing for passage of the Hearing Protection Act, which would remove suppressors from the NFA altogether.
For now, though, the export rule change marks another significant policy shift for an industry that’s seen several suppressor-related victories in recent months.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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