Tariffs, Triggers, and What It All Means for the Gun Industry (and You)

By Andrew Petty | BTO Range & Training Center

Hey folks, Andrew here from BTO Range in Conroe, Texas. I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about some of the things stirring the pot in the firearms world. Stuff that’s hitting our inbox, our sales floor, and our customers square in the wallet. Some of it’s regulatory, some of it’s political, and all of it has real impact on what you buy and what we’re able to sell. So let’s unpack it with some straight talk from someone standing behind the gun counter every day.

Tariffs Are Back, and They’re Biting

Let’s start with the big one: tariffs. If you’re buying anything imported—guns, optics, accessories—you’re probably going to see prices creep up. We got an email from Taurus recently saying they’re adding a 7% surcharge to invoices. Now, 7% might not seem like much, but in our world where margins are already slim, it’s enough to make us rethink how much we order. And whether we can afford to keep certain items on the shelf.

Same goes for optics. We’re hearing from SIG and other vendors that price hikes are either coming or already happening. Most of the glass in those optics isn’t made here. Even American-assembled scopes often use imported parts. And if those parts get hit with tariffs, the whole unit goes up in price.

Bottom line: Prices are going up, especially on budget-friendly options. Not because anyone’s gouging. Just because that’s the new reality.

Force Reset Triggers: The DOJ Weighs In

Now let’s talk forced reset triggers. As of May 16, 2025, the DOJ made it official: the original Rare Breed trigger design is not considered a machine gun under federal law. If your FRT got seized (and wasn’t part of a crime), you can now ask to get it back but you must do it by September 30th on their website. 

But let me be clear. This only applies to that one specific design. Anything else—knockoffs, clones, or new designs—might still land you in legal trouble. Also, don’t go dropping one in a pistol with a mag in the grip. That’s a no-go.

And please, for the love of good judgment, don’t take legal advice from a talking head on YouTube— including myself. I am not a lawyer and if I was, I am not your lawyer. Best practice is to talk to a real firearms attorney. 

Are Suppressors Off the NFA? Nope. Not Yet.

Yes, the House passed a piece of legislation that would deregulate suppressors. Sounds awesome. But let’s pump the brakes. It’s not law yet. The Senate still has to approve it, and the President has to sign off.

Until then, it’s business as usual. You still need a tax stamp. You still need a Form 4. We’re already seeing people delay purchases in hopes it’ll go through. I get it. But there’s no guarantee you’ll get your money back if you file now and the law changes later.

Texas Silencers: Still Under Federal Law

Ah yes, the “Made in Texas” silencer law. People got excited when HB 957 passed in 2021. But federal courts struck it down, and the Fifth Circuit backed that up. So despite the state’s good intentions, federal law still applies. You can’t skip the NFA process just because a can was made in Texas.

A Softer ATF? Sort Of

Here’s some rare good news. The ATF has backed off its zero tolerance policy for FFL holders. That means if you make a minor paperwork error, they’re less likely to pull your license over it. It’s not a free pass—we still have to get it right—but it’s not as cutthroat as it was.

The SBR and Pistol Brace Headache

This one’s still murky. The DOJ says just owning a braced pistol doesn’t make it an SBR. But using it from the shoulder? That could be seen as redesigning the firearm. And that’s where it gets messy.

So, you’re showing off your “braced pistol” while shouldering it in Instagram reels? Don’t be surprised if that bites you later. Somebody’s going to be the test case. It’s not gonna be me.

Why We Care (and Why You Should Too)

At BTO, we’re not just watching this stuff because we’re policy nerds. We watch it because it affects our business, our customers, and our staff. We want to offer cool products, but we also want to keep our FFL and our people safe.

We’re not anti-FRT. We’re not anti-suppressor. We’re just navigating the reality we’ve been given.

Got Questions? Let’s Talk

If something doesn’t make sense, or you’re wondering how all this affects what’s on our shelves, come talk to us. We’ll tell you what we know. And when we don’t know, we’ll say that too.

Andrew Petty | BTO Range & Training Center

Straight talk. Smart training. Real answers.

Gun Laws, Tariffs, Price Hikes, and the ATF’s Mood Swings | State of the Industry