Updated October 12, 2026. That’s how we read it, but we’re not lawyers.
Is an SBR/SBS legal in Texas?
Yes. Senate Bill 1596 took short-barrel firearms off the Texas prohibited weapons list, effective September 1, 2025. Federal law still calls a rifle with a barrel under 16 inches, or under 26 inches overall, a short-barreled rifle, and a shotgun with a barrel under 18 inches, or under 26 inches overall, a short-barreled shotgun.
How to get one now
Since October 9, 2026, you don’t need a Form 4 to buy an SBR/SBS or a Form 1 to make one, and the same goes for AOWs. ATF calls this an enforcement policy, and it could change.
| Route | What it means |
|---|---|
| Form 4473 | Buy an SBR/SBS that’s already built, with a background check, and take it home when it clears |
| Form 4 (optional) | Same purchase, registered with ATF; you take it home when ATF approves it |
| Form 1 (optional) | Register one you make by shortening a rifle you own; wait for approval before you build |
The tax on all of them has been $0 since January 1, 2026. ATF says items left unregistered generally can’t be registered later, so some owners still file one.
Traveling with an SBR/SBS
This is the rule that didn’t change. Before you take a short-barreled rifle or shotgun across state lines, you still need ATF’s approval on a Form 20, registered or not. Check the law in the state you’re headed to as well.
How we help
- Bought one from another dealer? Transfer prices are on our NFA paperwork page.
- Want to register one you build? Form 1 service is $50.
- Our gunsmith cuts and threads barrels.
- Want a can on it too? Pick one from the suppressor brands we carry.
Questions
Do I need a tax stamp for an SBR/SBS?
No. The tax is $0, and the Form 4 and Form 1 are optional now. You can still file one if you want it registered.
At what length does a rifle or shotgun become an SBR/SBS?
A rifle with a barrel under 16 inches, or a shotgun with a barrel under 18 inches. Either one also counts if it’s under 26 inches overall.
If I file a Form 1, can I cut my barrel before it’s approved?
No. If you’re registering it, wait for the approval before you build or have us cut it.