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Missouri Suppressor Laws in 2026: The Federal-Law Test and Brown v. ATF

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Missouri doesn't ban suppressors outright. It makes possessing one a felony only when it's "in violation of federal law," which means ATF's October 9, 2026 change goes straight to the heart of the state statute. Missouri is also suing ATF in its own federal case. Here's the law, the open question, where the lawsuit stands and the hunting rule.

Not legal advice. This page summarizes Missouri statutes, Conservation Department rules, court filings and federal guidance as of the date above. As far as we found, no Missouri court or state official has said how RSMo 571.020 applies after ATF's change. Talk to your dealer or a Missouri attorney before you buy without federal registration.

The short answer

What RSMo 571.020 says

Section 571.020.1 lists weapons a person commits an offense by knowingly possessing, manufacturing, transporting, repairing or selling. Item (6) covers "Any of the following in violation of federal law," and (c) is "A firearm silencer." Under subsection 3, that's a class D felony.

That drafting is different from states such as Wisconsin or North Carolina, which exempt people who have complied with NFA registration. Missouri doesn't mention registration at all. It asks only whether federal law is being violated.

How the October 9 change fits in

ATF's October 9 open letter says it will not enforce the NFA's approval and registration requirements for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs and AOWs, for anyone. Its fact sheet adds that "State and local laws still apply," and ATF's FAQ says it "cannot opine" on state law.

There's a real argument that a can bought on a 4473 under that policy isn't held "in violation of federal law." There's also a real counterargument: the registration provisions remain in the U.S. Code, and non-enforcement is a policy choice that can change. Missouri wasn't among the 15 states Firearms Policy Coalition wrote to on October 9 about registration-based laws, but we found no Missouri official guidance either way. Until there is, a $0 voluntary Form 4 removes the question.

Federal basics still apply: Form 4473, NICS check, in-state purchase, and age 21 to buy a suppressor from a dealer (18 U.S.C. 922(b)(1)).

Brown v. ATF: Missouri's own lawsuit

Brown v. ATF, No. 4:25-cv-01162-SRC, was filed in the Eastern District of Missouri on August 1, 2025, and is before Chief Judge Stephen R. Clark. On September 8, 2026, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed Missouri v. ATF, No. 4:26-cv-1430, with Dave Marshak as co-plaintiff. It argues the untaxed NFA rules exceed Congress's taxing power and violate the Second Amendment as applied, and it was consolidated into Brown. A September 24 amended complaint added other states.

What's happened since:

No merits ruling had been entered as of this update. A win for Missouri could give Missourians court-ordered protection, rather than a policy, but DOJ's position is that any relief should be limited to proper parties. See our Silencer Shop explainer for how the Texas case worked.

Hunting with a suppressor in Missouri

The Missouri Department of Conservation's hunting-methods rule, 3 CSR 10-7.410, sets out the legal firearms, archery equipment and methods for wildlife. It doesn't mention suppressors or silencers, and we found no other MDC rule that bars them. Treat that as the absence of a ban, not a written permission. The possession question above applies in the field too, since a can held "in violation of federal law" is a felony wherever you carry it.

Normal rules still apply: legal methods for the species and season, permits, and any area-specific regulations on conservation lands.

Bottom line for Missouri buyers

Missouri's statute rides on federal law, and federal law is in flux. A $0 Form 4 makes your can lawful under any reading while Brown plays out. Browse new suppressors of 2026, check the latest NFA updates, and see the national suppressor buying guide.

Frequently asked questions

Are suppressors legal in Missouri in 2026?
Yes. Missouri makes silencer possession a class D felony only when it's in violation of federal law. Whether an unregistered can under ATF's October 2026 non-enforcement policy qualifies hasn't been decided, so a $0 voluntary Form 4 is the safe route.
What is Brown v. ATF?
A federal case in the Eastern District of Missouri, No. 4:25-cv-01162, challenging NFA rules for untaxed firearms. Missouri's own suit was consolidated into it, and a status conference is set for December 3, 2026.
Can you hunt with a suppressor in Missouri?
We found no Missouri Conservation Department rule barring it. The hunting-methods rule, 3 CSR 10-7.410, doesn't mention suppressors. The state possession law still applies in the field.
Did Missouri join the Silencer Shop lawsuit?
No. Missouri wasn't one of the 15 plaintiff states in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF. It filed its own case in September 2026.

Sources

  1. RSMo 571.020 (possession of certain weapons)
  2. Missouri Attorney General: Hanaway sues ATF (Sept. 2026)
  3. Missouri v. ATF, No. 4:26-cv-01430, complaint (filed Sept. 8, 2026; PDF)
  4. Brown v. ATF, No. 4:25-cv-01162 (E.D. Mo.), docket via CourtListener
  5. Brown v. ATF: order setting status conference (Oct. 6, 2026; PDF)
  6. Brown v. ATF: defendants' third supplemental brief (Oct. 7, 2026; PDF)
  7. Missouri Department of Conservation: 3 CSR 10-7.410 Hunting methods
  8. ATF: Update to NFA Transfer Guidance and FAQ (page last updated Oct. 16, 2026)
  9. ATF Open Letter, Oct. 9, 2026 (PDF)
  10. ATF fact sheet: NFA Guidance: Liberty and Justice for All (PDF; undated, linked from the guidance page last updated Oct. 16, 2026)

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