ATF Cuts Red Tape — DOJ Targets Denver. Is Colorado Next?

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives just rolled out a wave of reforms that signal a clear shift in federal gun policy—and it’s not subtle.

At the same time, the United States Department of Justice is now threatening to sue the City of Denver over its long-standing “assault weapons” ban, arguing these firearms are in common use and protected under the Second Amendment.

Translation: This isn’t just paperwork reform—this is a coordinated shift.

 

ATF / NFA Changes — Short Bullet Summary

Big picture: DOJ/ATF announced 34 proposed and final rule changes on April 29, 2026, aimed at reducing paperwork, modernizing ATF rules, and rolling back several Biden-era regulations.

• $200 NFA tax is now $0 for most common NFA items: Suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs now have a $0 federal transfer/making tax, but Form 1/Form 4 approval is still required. The NFA registry did not go away.
• Suppressors are not “over the counter.” You still need ATF approval, fingerprints/photos, background check, and registration. It is cheaper, not deregulated.
• Machine guns and destructive devices are different: The $0 tax change does not mean civilians can make new machine guns. Machine gun restrictions still remain.
• Pistol brace rule rollback: ATF is proposing to formally rescind the 2023 stabilizing brace rule after multiple court losses. That means brace-equipped pistols are moving back toward the old legal framework.
• Bump stock rule removed: ATF is removing bump-stock language from the machine gun definition after the Supreme Court’s Cargill v. Garland decision.
• NFA travel may get easier: Proposed rule would remove advance ATF notice/approval for short-term interstate NFA transport of 365 days or fewer. Long-term or permanent moves would still require notice, but not pre-approval.
• CLEO notification may disappear: ATF proposes removing the requirement to send local law enforcement a copy of NFA applications and Responsible Person forms.
• Married couples may get joint NFA registration: ATF proposes allowing spouses to jointly register NFA items without needing a trust just to share lawful possession.
• Maker marking rule may loosen: If someone Form 1s an existing firearm into an NFA item, ATF proposes allowing them to adopt the original manufacturer’s markings instead of adding duplicate markings.
• FFL compliance tone is changing: DOJ/ATF says enforcement focus is shifting toward willful violators and criminals, not minor paperwork mistakes by responsible licensees.
• Colorado warning: Colorado still defines suppressors, machine guns, short rifles, and short shotguns as “dangerous weapons,” with an affirmative defense for lawful/valid federal authorization. So Colorado owners still need to stay federally compliant.

 

Meanwhile — DOJ vs Denver

The United States Department of Justice is putting real pressure on Denver, demanding the city repeal its assault weapons ban or face a federal lawsuit.

Denver’s response? They’re not backing down.

This sets up a direct legal clash over a simple question:

Can a city ban firearms that are in common use nationwide?

 

What This Means for Colorado

Here’s the part that matters:

If DOJ is willing to:

• Roll back ATF rules
• Challenge a major city like Denver

…it’s not a big leap to see them step into state-level fights next.

That puts SB25-003 squarely in the conversation.

But here’s the reality most people miss:

Even if legal challenges start—and even if DOJ gets involved—SB25-003 is still likely to be enforced for months or even years while the courts sort it out.

That means:

• No overnight changes
• No immediate relief at the state level
• And businesses and owners still need to operate as if the law is active

Colorado could become a frontline battleground, but it won’t be a quick fight.

 

Bottom Line

This is good news for gun owners and dealers—but don’t oversell it.

The tax burden is down, paperwork may get lighter, and several bad ATF rules are being rolled back — but NFA approval, registration, and state-law compliance still matter.

What’s changed is the tone—and the strategy.

And now the question isn’t hypothetical anymore:

If DOJ is going after Denver… is Colorado next?
We hope so!!

 

Kenneth Ong
Executive Director of Strategic Loud Noises and Regulatory Vibes Management

If you’ve been waiting… this is your sign. These are the items flying off the shelves right now—meaning people aren’t just browsing, they’re buying with conviction.
Note: For the first time in a while, Glock didn’t crack the top sellers—mainly because inventory’s been thin.

 

Rifles & Lowers (The Backbone)

• AR-15 — Still king. Reliable, customizable, and moving fast: BCM, Daniel Defense and SOLGW.
• AR-15 Lowers — The smart buyer’s move right now (stock up!)

 

Handguns

• SIG P211 — New, hot, and getting a ton of attention
• Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 — Lightweight, easy carry, and hard to keep in stock

PCCs (Quietly Taking Over)

• CMMG Dissent — Premium feel, smooth shooting… customers love it
• Springfield Saint Victor 9mm (8”) — Compact, fun, and one of the easiest shooters on the range

What This Means

• People are buying ahead of uncertainty
• PCCs are gaining traction (less recoil, more control)
• Builders are stocking up (lowers don’t stay cheap forever)

Bottom Line

The crowd is moving—and inventory doesn’t sit long when this happens.

If it’s on your list, don’t wait until it’s gone. Stop by Damage Factory in Greenwood Village and see what’s in stock.

Locked and loaded for your next buy? Hit us up by phone or fire off an email—no actual shooting required:
[email protected]