I Was Going to Write About the Glock 45—Then I Read Section 70436

Author with suppressed SBR

By Adam Demarest

FFL 07 / SOT 2 | Tactics Instructor | Army Infantry Veteran | Law Enforcement Educator

I sat down tonight with every intention of writing a long, impassioned blog post about why the Glock 45 has become the unofficial standard for law enforcement sidearms—not just in Maine, but across the country. I had bullet points ready. I had first-hand experience to share from the range. I was even going to throw in a few stats about improved qualification scores and agency adoption rates.

But then I made the mistake—or maybe the right choice—of scrolling through some news updates. A link caught my eye.

“Section 70436 – Removing Redundant Restrictions for Short-Barreled Rifles and Suppressors.”

My Glock post disappeared into the background almost immediately.

Because what I found wasn’t just political banter or vague legislative jargon. It was a moment. A real, potentially transformative moment for those of us who care about responsible firearms ownership, constitutional rights, tactical performance, and practical safety—especially those of us operating in the intersection of all of the above.

What Is Section 70436?

Buried within what’s being called the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (a tongue-in-cheek label for a massive omnibus reform package), Section 70436 proposes a major change: to remove short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and firearm suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA) registry.

Yes, you read that right.

Under this section, SBRs and suppressors would be treated just like any other Title I firearm—no more lengthy Form 1 or Form 4 submissions, no more $200 tax stamps, no more 6-12 month ATF waiting periods for gear that is—in every practical and technical sense—commonplace and widely understood by today’s tactical professionals.

And as both an FFL 07 / SOT 2 manufacturer and someone who teaches CQB and tactical rifle applications to law enforcement and prepared citizens, I say this:

It’s about time.

Why This Matters (From a Gunsmith’s Desk)

As someone who holds a Federal Firearms License and a Special Occupational Tax (SOT) registration, I spend a good deal of time on the administrative side of the firearms world. And the amount of regulatory friction surrounding suppressors and SBRs is—in many ways—more political than practical.

• A 10.3" suppressed AR-pattern rifle is easier to control indoors than any 16" carbine.

• A suppressed rifle is safer for officers and civilians alike in urban settings where hearing protection may not always be feasible.

• A properly configured SBR is not more dangerous—it’s more precise, especially in confined environments like hallways, basements, or breaching situations.

• A suppressor is not a “silencer” in the Hollywood sense—it’s a muffler. And it protects both hearing and clarity of communication during gunfire, which any instructor or patrol officer will tell you is life-critical.

Currently, for a civilian to get one of these tools legally, they need to:

1. Pay a $200 tax.

2. Submit fingerprints and passport photos.

3. Wait 6–12 months for ATF approval.

4. Accept that they may be committing a felony if they take the firearm across state lines without paperwork.

And for what?

A suppressor that reduces sound levels to OSHA-compliant decibels?A 10.5" upper receiver that makes a rifle lighter, faster, and easier to stow?

These are practical enhancements, not criminal intentions.

From the Instructor’s View: CQB, Safety, and Common Sense

Every time I run a Close Quarters Battle (CQB) course—whether with law enforcement or advanced civilians—the same truths emerge:

• The longer the rifle, the harder the fight indoors. A 16" barrel with a suppressor becomes a liability in a hallway. You’re banging corners, exposing your muzzle early, and slowing down your team.

• Suppressors don’t just protect hearing—they help mask flash and reduce the chances of disorientation in low-light environments. That’s a tactical advantage, not a luxury.

• Many of my students are buying “pistol” ARs with stabilizing braces, or trying to navigate around red tape just to train with gear that fits real-world needs. It's a workaround—nothing more.

If Section 70436 becomes law, it eliminates that workaround. It treats SBRs and suppressors the way they should’ve been treated from the beginning: as tools.

The Law Enforcement Lens

Let me be clear—this isn’t just about civilian use. It’s also about what this change signals to law enforcement agencies.

Most patrol rifles in U.S. departments are still issued in 16" configurations. Why? Because it's “safe” from a legal standpoint and administratively simple. But with more officers facing threats in tight interiors—homes, schools, stairwells—why not issue them a properly suppressed 11.5" SBR?

Section 70436 would remove that institutional hesitation.

Departments wouldn’t have to jump through NFA hoops to equip their officers with what many SWAT units and federal teams already run. This bill would democratize tactical capability—giving the average patrol officer gear that fits the job.

An officer engages in tactical training with a short barrel rifle, showcasing maneuverability and readiness..

What This Could Mean for Industry and Training

If passed, Section 70436 would:

• Streamline training. No more two-tiered systems where instructors need a tax stamp just to show how to properly use a short rifle.

• Lower cost of ownership. No more $200 tax stamp barrier or forced wait periods—great for departments, especially rural ones with tight budgets.

• Normalize safer shooting. Suppressors would become a common sight at the range—and so would the reduction of hearing loss lawsuits.

From a manufacturer’s standpoint, it would also create a huge surge in demand—not just for products, but for training. Which is where instructors and professionals like myself come in. More access means more responsibility—and more opportunities to teach that responsibility correctly.

My Optimism (and Caution)

Look—I’m a realist. I’ve watched promising firearm bills stall in committee before. I’ve seen legislation packed with common-sense reforms die because of partisan optics.

But I’m also optimistic.

Section 70436 isn’t a Trojan horse or a slippery slope. It’s a correction. A reset. An acknowledgment that suppressors and short rifles are not criminal tools, but protective, efficient, and proven assets for professionals and citizens alike.

Final Thoughts

So no, I didn’t write about the Glock 45 today. That blog can wait.

Because Section 70436 is bigger than one pistol. It’s about shifting how we view firearms—not as threats, but as tools with very real, very measurable benefits when used properly and trained correctly.

I support it as an FFL.I support it as a tactical instructor.I support it as a father.And I support it as someone who still believes that liberty and responsibility can live in the same room.

Let’s hope Congress agrees.

_________________________________________________________________________

Section 70436—which would remove short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA) and treat them as standard Title I firearms—is currently embedded in H.R. 1, the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill. Here’s where it stands in the legislative process as of late June 2025:

🏛 House of Representatives

• Passed H.R. 1 on May 22, 2025, with Section 70436 intact.

🧭 Now in the Senate

• The bill has moved to the Senate for consideration.

• On June 16, the Senate Finance Committee released its version, which retains the SHORT Act provisions including Section 70436 .

🚧 Reconciliation and Byrd Rule

• H.R. 1 is proceeding under budget reconciliation, which allows passage by a simple Senate majority—no filibuster required.

• However, provisions must comply with the Byrd Rule, meaning they must directly affect the federal budget.

• On June 20, the Senate Parliamentarian reviewed the text: while many off-budget items were struck, the firearm-related section (SHORT Act) appears to remain eligible.

🗓 Timeline & Next Steps

Step	Status	What’s Next
House Floor Passage	✅ Completed (May 22)	—
Senate Committee Markup	✅ Finance released text (June 16)	—
Byrd Rule Review	✅ Parliamentarian ruling (June 20)	Ensured compliance
Full Senate Vote	🛑 Pending	Goal before July 4, 2025, the scheduled summer recess

✅ Bottom Line

Section 70436 has successfully passed the House and cleared Senate committee scrutiny, including compliance checks under the Byrd Rule. The next major step is a final Senate vote, which is likely to occur before July 4th, 2025, during the reconciliation process. If approved, it proceeds directly to the President’s desk for signature.

🧭 What’s Coming

• In the next week or two, watch for floor debate in the Senate.

• The GOP majority is expected to push it through reconciliation, but exactly how minor amendments might shape the final text is still in flux.

• If it clears the Senate, expect Presidential signature before fall.

🔍 Expert Tip from My Instructor’s Desk

If you’re in law enforcement, manufacturing, or firearms education, now is the time to raise awareness and prepare for training. Even if the bill passes in July, implementation and repeal of NFA constraints may take months. Having courses ready and stock prepped will help agencies and professionals move swiftly once the law changes.