Big Changes Gun Owners Will See In 2026

1. NFA Tax Stamp Eliminated Starting January 1, 2026

• The $200 tax stamp for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and the $5 AOW tax are eliminated effective January 1, 2026 under the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
• Important: ATF Forms, fingerprints, and background checks still remain. This is not deregulation — only the tax is removed.
• ATF expects longer wait times due to a surge in filings, potentially slowing approvals significantly.
• State laws still apply. These items remain illegal in: CA, NY, NJ, HI, DE, IL, RI, MA.
• Machine guns and destructive devices are not affected

2. Federal Crackdown on Straw Purchases Intensifies (2025)

• Under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, penalties for straw purchasing now reach up to 15 years, and up to 25 years if the firearm is used in a felony, terrorism, or drug trafficking crime.
• Lying about marijuana use on Form 4473 is prosecuted under existing federal law; penalties can reach up to 5 years, depending on the charge.
• ATF continues expanding digital cross‑referencing tools, including indexing 4473 data and coordinating with other federal databases.
• ATF and NSSF’s “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” campaign remains a major enforcement tool.

3. Colorado’s 2026 Semi‑Automatic Firearm Restrictions

• Beginning August 2026, Colorado will ban the sale, purchase, and manufacture of most semi‑automatic rifles, shotguns, and certain handguns unless the buyer completes state‑approved training and obtains an eligibility card.
• Training requirements include:
  • A basic or extended firearms safety course (4–12 hours depending on prior hunter ed)
  • Live‑fire components
  • Instruction from a state‑approved trainer
• Dealers face permit revocation and criminal penalties for noncompliance.
• This law is one of the strictest in the country and may influence other states.

4. Kentucky’s 2026 Red Flag Law Claim Is Incorrect

• The claim that Kentucky will adopt an ERPO (red flag law) in February 2026 is not supported by the search results.
• In fact, HB77 (2026) is titled the Red Flag Repeal Act of 2026, which prohibits courts from issuing firearm‑restrictive ex parte orders.
• Kentucky is not becoming the 22nd red flag state — it is moving in the opposite direction.

5. National Reciprocity (H.R. 38) Remains Stalled

• H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025, was reported out of committee on October 3, 2025, but has not passed the House or Senate.
• States may still oppose or challenge reciprocity even if the bill advances.
• The bill has a 37% chance of enactment according to GovTrack projections.

Final Thoughts

The landscape for gun owners is shifting rapidly. Some changes expand access (like the elimination of NFA tax stamps), while others — especially at the state level — impose new restrictions. Staying informed is essential, especially for FFLs, instructors, and anyone navigating interstate firearm laws.

If you want, I can turn this into:

• A downloadable one‑page handout
• A social‑media‑ready infographic
• A version tailored for your gun shop customers at ADA Armaments

Just say the word.

4. Kentucky’s 2026 Red Flag Law Claim Is Incorrect

• The claim that Kentucky will adopt an ERPO (red flag law) in February 2026 is not supported by the search results.
• In fact, HB77 (2026) is titled the Red Flag Repeal Act of 2026, which prohibits courts from issuing firearm‑restrictive ex parte orders.
• Kentucky is not becoming the 22nd red flag state — it is moving in the opposite direction.

5. National Reciprocity (H.R. 38) Remains Stalled

• H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025, was reported out of committee on October 3, 2025, but has not passed the House or Senate.
• States may still oppose or challenge reciprocity even if the bill advances.
• The bill has a 37% chance of enactment according to GovTrack projections.

What National Reciprocity Should Look Like!