admin
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen says he has made “progress” with state lawmakers to bring Montana law into line with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ new approach to suppressors, short‑barreled rifles (SBRs), and short‑barreled shotguns (SBSs). In plain English: federal enforcement has relaxed, but Montana still has state rules that can trip up lawful gun owners. Knudsen announced draft bills are being prepared for the next legislative session to repeal Montana’s Form 4 tax‑stamp requirement for these items, and he named Senators Wylie Galt and Carl Glimm and Representative Braxton Mitchell as the sponsors who will carry the effort.
Federal shift forced the ball into state court
The recent federal change started with a federal judge’s ruling that undercut the old justification for requiring registration and tax stamps for certain NFA items. The Department of Justice decided not to appeal, and ATF Director Rob Cekada issued guidance saying the ATF will no longer demand federal approval, registration, or tax stamps before transfers or making of suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs. That move cleared a big federal obstacle for lawful owners and manufacturers — but it did not erase state laws. Shocking, I know: federal policy can change, but state statutes still matter.
Montana legislators move to clean up state law
That is why Knudsen’s announcement matters. Montana law currently ties lawful possession of suppressors and some other NFA items to federal registration requirements. The ATF’s enforcement change does not automatically remove that state condition. So Knudsen and Montana Republican lawmakers are preparing bills to repeal Montana rules that demand Form 4 tax stamps. If the Legislature passes these bills and the governor signs them, Montanans would have the same practical freedom the ATF now recognizes at the federal level.
Why repeal matters for Montanans and gun owners
This isn’t just a paperwork fight. Until Montana’s statutes are changed, gun owners and dealers face legal uncertainty. Some people will keep filing Forms 1 and 4 just to be safe. Others will accept the ATF’s non‑enforcement and risk state prosecution if a prosecutor or sheriff decides to press the issue. A legislative repeal would remove that risk and give Montana citizens clarity. It also matters for businesses that build and sell suppressors or SBR parts; they need consistent rules to operate without fear of sudden state enforcement.
Make no mistake: this is a practical, pro‑freedom step and a sensible reach for legal consistency. The next stop is Helena — committee hearings, bill votes, and, yes, the inevitable theater of legislative sausage‑making. Watch who shows up to support law-abiding Montanans and who prefers to leave folks guessing about whether they are doing something legal. If lawmakers actually move fast and do the repeal, Knudsen and the bill sponsors will deserve credit. If not, lawmakers will have only themselves to blame when citizens and businesses are left holding federal guidance and state law that don’t match.
