If federal registration rules return, how should existing owners be treated?

A federal judge struck down National Firearms Act registration and processing requirements on Aug. 5 after Congress reduced the transfer tax to $0 in 2025. The ATF issued guidance on Oct. 9, noting that state and local rules remained unchanged. Second Amendment Foundation official Konstadinos Moros said the federal requirements could return if Congress reinstates the tax or a future administration resumes enforcement, and that it was unclear what would happen to suppressors and short-barreled rifles sold in the meantime.