If you’re in Texas and wondering whether you can legally own or use a firearm suppressor, the answer is yes, you can but only if you comply with federal law. Texas allows private ownership of suppressors, but they remain regulated nationwide under the National Firearms Act (NFA). That means Texans must still go through the ATF process, pay the federal tax stamp, and complete all background requirements. Without the federal paperwork, possession is illegal, even if the suppressor is bought or made inside Texas.
What Texas Law Says Right Now
Texas is firearm-friendly, and state law does not ban suppressor ownership. In fact:
- Texans may legally own suppressors.
- Texans may possess, transport, and use suppressors while hunting or recreational shooting.
- Texas has no additional state-level taxes or registration requirements.
But here’s the important part: Texas law doesn’t override federal law. Suppressors remain federally controlled items, meaning every legal suppressor in Texas is still an NFA item.
Even though Texas passed House Bill 957 in 2021 — a bill claiming that suppressors made entirely inside Texas would be exempt from federal regulation the reality is that federal law still applies. No Texas resident has been exempted from ATF approval under that law, and federal enforcement has not changed. In 2025, suppressors remain legally accessible only through the ATF pathway.
Federal Requirements You Must Still Follow
Under the National Firearms Act (NFA), suppressor ownership requires:
- Submitting an ATF Form 4 (or Form 1 if you are making one yourself)
- Passing a full federal background check
- Paying a $200 federal tax stamp
- Providing fingerprints and a photo
- Registering the suppressor in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR)
- Waiting for approval (often several months)
Once approved, you may possess and transport the suppressor throughout Texas.
The bottom line: Federal rules control everything, regardless of what Texas law says.
What You Can and Cannot Do in Texas
What is legal
- Owning a suppressor with an approved ATF Form 4 or Form 1
- Buying suppressors through a licensed NFA dealer
- Making a suppressor yourself after filing a Form 1 and receiving ATF approval
- Using suppressors for hunting — Texas Parks & Wildlife fully allows it
- Transporting your suppressor across the state as long as you are the registered owner
What is illegal
- Owning or possessing a suppressor without a federal tax stamp
- Buying “Texas-made suppressors” without ATF involvement
- Possessing unregistered suppressor parts that can be assembled into a functional device
- Selling or transferring a suppressor without going through a licensed dealer and ATF approval
Even accidentally possessing an unregistered suppressor is considered a federal felony.
Why the Texas “Made in Texas Suppressor Law” Doesn’t Change Much
Texas lawmakers tried to shield in-state suppressor manufacturing from federal regulation, arguing that items made and kept in Texas should remain under state jurisdiction.
But the problem is simple: Federal gun laws override state laws.
Federal courts have repeatedly ruled that firearms and accessories fall under interstate-commerce authority, and ATF enforces the NFA uniformly across all states. So while Texas symbolically supports suppressor freedom, Texans still need federal approval or they risk federal prosecution.
In practice, the Texas law has not created a single legal, tax-stamp-free suppressor in 2025.
Why Texans Own Suppressors at High Rates
Despite the regulation, suppressors are extremely popular in Texas for several reasons:
- They reduce recoil and improve shooter comfort
- They lower sound levels to help protect hearing
- They reduce noise pollution around rural and suburban shooting areas
- They make hunting more comfortable for both the hunter and surrounding landowners
- Texas culture strongly supports firearm ownership and accessories
Texas consistently ranks near the top in the number of NFA suppressor approvals each year.
What Texas Gun Owners Should Keep in Mind
- Always keep a digital or paper copy of your ATF Form 4 or Form 1with your suppressor.
- Only the person (or trust members) listed on the approved form may possess it.
- Traveling outside Texas? Most states allow suppressors, but a few do not — check laws before carrying.
- Never loan your suppressor to a friend unless they are legally listed in your NFA trust.
- Be cautious with “solvent traps,” “fuel filters,” and unregistered tubes sold online. Many are unregistered suppressors in disguise and illegal to possess without ATF approval.
Staying compliant protects you from serious legal trouble.
Final Take
In short suppressors are legal, but only when you follow federal rules. Texas supports ownership, and there are no state barriers, but the National Firearms Act still controls every suppressor purchase, transfer, or build. If you want one, go through a licensed dealer, file the federal paperwork, pay the tax stamp, and wait for approval. Once registered, you can use your suppressor freely across Texas legally and safely.
