ATF final rule removes bump‑stock language from federal "machine gun" definition after Supreme Court decision
ATF rulemaking 2026-08926 — status: rule final
Official title: Revising Machine Gun Definition in Response to Supreme Court Decision
What it does
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued a final rule amending DOJ regulations to remove two sentences that had incorporated bump‑stock‑type devices into three regulatory definitions of "machine gun." The change implements the Supreme Court's holding in Garland v. Cargill that ATF exceeded its statutory authority when it classified bump stocks as machine guns in the 2018 bump‑stock final rule. The final rule is published and effective as ATF's updated regulatory text.
Industry impact
Practically, the rule removes the federal regulatory classification that treated bump‑stock‑type devices as machine guns, which means manufacturers and retailers may resume producing, marketing, and transferring such devices without the NFA machine‑gun registration, transfer tax, and transfer restrictions that applied under the earlier ATF rule. Businesses will need to update compliance policies, sales screening and recordkeeping procedures that were put in place in response to the 2018 rule, and may see renewed market demand for these devices. The change does not affect other federal prohibitions, and sellers should remain aware of applicable state and local restrictions and any remaining ATF guidance affecting related products.
Latest official status: Final rule: Final rule.
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