Montana Lawmakers Prepare Suppressor and Short-Barreled Firearm Bills

HELENA, MT — Three Montana Republican legislators are preparing bills for the 2027 legislative session that would revise state restrictions affecting suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns after a major change in federal enforcement.

Sen. Wylie Galt requested legislative drafts in September, according to Montana Free Press reporting republished by NonStop Local. Sen. Carl Glimm and Rep. Braxton Mitchell agreed to carry matching measures in the Senate and House when lawmakers convene in January.

The proposals have not been enacted, and final bill numbers were not available in the material reviewed. Current Montana law therefore remains relevant to possession and use of the covered items.

The state effort follows ATF guidance effective October 9. The agency says it will not enforce several National Firearms Act approval, registration and tax-stamp requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and certain other weapons. The policy does not repeal the federal statutes or override state and local restrictions.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said the state still needs statutory changes. In August, before ATF extended its nonenforcement policy nationwide, his office warned prosecutors and law enforcement agencies that Montana provisions continued to reference federal registration and tax-stamp requirements.

The Department of Justice guidance described three areas of tension. It said Montana treats possession of an unregistered silencer as evidence of an unlawful purpose, links an exception for some short-barreled firearms to a valid federal tax stamp and requires federal registration when a suppressor is used for hunting.

Local reporting says the planned House and Senate bills would remove or trim those state-law references. Galt, Glimm and Mitchell have framed the changes as a way to align Montana rules with the new federal posture, particularly for hunters and firearm owners.

ATF continues to enforce Gun Control Act requirements. Dealers must still use Form 4473, conduct required background checks and comply with state law. The agency also warns that its enforcement policy could change if the federal case is overturned, Congress changes the law or the Department of Justice rescinds the guidance.

For now, the practical distinction is straightforward: federal nonenforcement does not itself legalize conduct prohibited by Montana law. The coming legislative session will determine whether the proposed state changes advance and in what final form.

Timeline

Legal and safety breakdown

Federal policy and Montana law are separate

Montana's August guidance predates ATF's October nationwide policy. It remains useful for identifying the state provisions lawmakers say they intend to change, but it should not be read as the text of a new bill.

Safety Tip: Before acquiring, making, transporting or using a suppressor or short-barreled firearm, verify both current federal guidance and the law of every state involved. Keep transaction and compliance records with the item.

Sources

• Some state lawmakers want to legalize gun suppressors, short-barreled weapons
• Attorney General Knudsen issues legal guidance following Silencer Shop ruling
• ATF Update to NFA Transfer Guidance
• Montana Legislature to Pursue State-Level Suppressor Deregulation in 2027 Session