With the recent federal suppressor rule change, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) wants hunters to know how its agents will handle firearm suppressors in the field.
Congress cut the federal tax on suppressors to $0. In August, a federal court in Texas ruled that the federal government could no longer enforce certain suppressor registration rules. On October 9, 2026, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced that it will no longer require ATF approval or registration for suppressors.
Louisiana law allows hunters to use suppressors, but relies on having a federal tax stamp as evidence that the suppressor is lawfully possessed. Federal law no longer requires that stamp.
How LDWF agents will enforce the law:
- If your suppressor is legally possessed, and it is attached to a firearm that is legal for the season you are hunting, you have not violated state law.
- Agents will not cite you or seize your suppressor just because you do not have an ATF tax stamp or registration papers.
- All hunting rules still apply. LDWF agents will still check your license, tags, season dates, hunting hours, bag limits and method of take.
What has not changed:
- Suppressors may be used to take game birds, wild quadrupeds, outlaw quadrupeds, nutria and beaver.
- Your firearm must be legal for the season. A suppressor does not make an illegal firearm legal.
- People who are barred from having firearms may not have a suppressor.
- A hunter convicted of a class four or greater hunting violation may not hunt with a suppressor for five years after the conviction.
- Machine guns remain fully regulated under federal law.
Hunters with questions may contact the LDWF Enforcement Division at this link.
