🚨 Major Win for Gun Owners: Senate Finance Committee Moves to Remove SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs from NFA

Buried on pages 261–263 of the Senate Finance Committee’s updated version of HR1 Title VII is language that mirrors the goals of the SHORT Act — and it’s a big deal for gun owners.

Here’s the exact legislative text:

“Section 5845(a) is amended by striking the first sentence and inserting the following:
‘The term ‘firearm’ means a machinegun or a destructive device.’”

“Section 5845(f) is amended by striking ‘except a shotgun or shotgun shell which the Secretary finds is generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes’ and inserting ‘except shotgun shells and any weapon that is designed to shoot shotgun shells.’”

“Section 5841(f) … any person who acquires or possesses such [short-barreled] rifle, shotgun, or other weapon in accordance with chapter 44 of title 18 … shall be treated as meeting any such registration or licensing requirement with respect to such rifle, shotgun, or other weapon.”

---

🔍 What Does This Mean in Plain English?

This section of the bill proposes removing short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and “any other weapons” (AOWs) from the National Firearms Act (NFA). Here’s a simple breakdown:

✅ 1. SBRs and SBSs Would No Longer Be “NFA Firearms”

That means:

• No $200 tax stamp
• No long wait times
• No federal registration
• No paperwork nightmare

You’d be able to own these firearms like any other rifle or shotgun, so long as you follow regular gun laws.

---

✅ 2. Shotgun Regulation Language Simplified

The confusing “suitable for sporting purposes” clause is removed. This stops federal agencies from banning certain shotguns just because they don’t fit a vague definition of a “sporting” firearm.

---

✅ 3. States Can’t Use NFA Status to Impose Extra Rules

If your state requires special registration of SBRs because they’re federally classified under the NFA, that’s now blocked. The bill says that if you’re legal under federal law, you’re legal at the state level — no double-registration.

---

📅 When Would This Take Effect?

“The amendments… shall apply to calendar quarters beginning more than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.”

So if this becomes law, the changes would kick in about three months later.

---

💬 Final Thoughts

This is quietly one of the biggest pro–Second Amendment wins in recent memory. While the language isn’t labeled “SHORT Act” in the bill, the result is effectively the same: ending NFA treatment of millions of firearms that have been unfairly regulated for decades.

We’ll be watching closely to see if this provision survives the full legislative process. For now, gun owners have real reason to be hopeful.