If you’ve followed our previous coverage of Silencer Shop’s lawsuit against the ATF and DOJ, then you already know the battle over silencers and SBRs is far from over.
But behind the headlines is the Silencer Shop Foundation—a nonprofit quietly (and now not so quietly) working to dismantle the laws that restrict your right to own common firearm accessories.
What Is the Silencer Shop Foundation?
The Silencer Shop Foundation (SSF) is the advocacy arm of Silencer Shop; the company that revolutionized how suppressors are purchased with kiosk-based fingerprinting, simplified trust processes, and established dealer partnerships nationwide.
But while Silencer Shop sells silencers, SSF is trying to make sure you don’t need a tax stamp or a stack of paperwork to own one.
As a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, the Foundation is legally set up to fund lawsuits, push legislation, and rally support for Second Amendment issues—especially those tied to the National Firearms Act (NFA).
What They’re Fighting For
The Foundation’s primary mission is to remove suppressors and other NFA items, like short-barreled rifles, from the National Firearms Act altogether. Additionally, they seek to restore silencer ownership laws and amend state laws to permit silencer ownership. These restrictions are widely viewed within the firearms community as unconstitutional, outdated, and based more on misconceptions and media hype than on actual public safety concerns.
But they’re also realistic. Removing silencers from the NFA isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. That’s why SSF has taken a three-pronged approach:
- Litigation: They’re funding lawsuits aimed at the heart of unconstitutional regulation.
- Legislation: They’re supporting lawmakers willing to move bills that chip away at federal and state-level red tape.
- Grassroots action: 100% of donations go toward the cause. No overhead. No politics. Just results.
The Big Beautiful Lawsuit (in Case You Missed It)
On July 4, 2025, Congress passed what’s now known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which zeroed out the $200 tax stamp for silencers and SBRs.
That same day, the Silencer Shop Foundation—along with GOA, B&T, SilencerCo, Palmetto State Armory, and others—filed what’s now known as the “Big Beautiful Lawsuit”.
Here’s the legal play: The NFA was upheld by the courts because it was technically a tax law. If that “tax” is now $0, then what’s left? A regulation masquerading as a tax—and that could be unconstitutional.
This challenge goes straight to the foundation of how silencers and SBRs have been restricted since 1934. If successful, it could change everything.
Why This Fight Matters
Some Americans assume silencers are banned outright. Others think they’re a tool for criminals—thanks, Hollywood. In reality, suppressors reduce hearing damage, improve situational awareness, and are outright mandatory in many other countries for outdoor shooting.
The fact that U.S. law treats silencer owners like criminals is absurd.
As Silencer Shop’s founder, Dave Matheny, put it in a recent interview: “It was just an accident of history.” And it’s time to fix it.
How You Can Get Involved
You don’t need to file lawsuits or walk Capitol Hill to help. Here are three easy ways to support the Silencer Shop Foundation:
- Round Up at Checkout
Buy anything from Silencer Shop and round up your purchase to make a donation to the Foundation. Every penny goes to the fight—Silencer Shop covers all overhead. - Donate Directly
Head to ssf.org and make a one-time or recurring donation. No amount is too small. - Spread the Word
Share their mission with friends, family, or your shooting buddies. Most people have no idea silencers are this heavily restricted—or that change is this close.
Final Thoughts: A Smart, Strategic Shot at the NFA
The Silencer Shop Foundation isn’t just raising awareness—they’re taking direct action to dismantle outdated federal restrictions on suppressors and other NFA items.
With the Big Beautiful Lawsuit, targeted state-level reforms, and growing grassroots support, SSF is building serious momentum. This isn’t a symbolic fight—it’s one with the potential to reshape how these items are regulated in the U.S.
If you care about your rights, your hearing, and rolling back nearly a century of unnecessary regulation, now’s the time to get involved.
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