A firearm that defies the NFA is back and better than ever.
In the wake of a pivotal court win against the ATF, Franklin Armory® has resumed production and sales of its Reformation® firearm line.
Effective immediately, Reformation models featuring 7.5-inch and 11.5-inch barrels are shipping to consumers via federally licensed firearm dealers (FFLs)—and the best part? No tax stamp required.
Thanks to a clearly worded ruling in the lawsuit FRAC v. Garland, the Reformation is now officially and permanently classified as a GCA-only “firearm,” not an NFA-regulated short-barreled rifle (SBR) or shotgun (SBS).
What Makes the Reformation Different?
At the core of the Reformation’s legal distinction is Franklin Armory’s patented straight cut land and groove barrel—a design that doesn’t fit the ATF’s traditional definitions of either rifled or smoothbore barrels. That means it doesn’t qualify as a rifle or a shotgun, and thus, falls outside the purview of the National Firearms Act (NFA). It’s simply a “firearm” as defined by the Gun Control Act (GCA).
“Reformation was designed to be the ultimate home defense weapon,” said Jay Jacobson, President of Franklin Armory. “It provides excellent ballistic effectiveness in a short package, yet it does not trigger any NFA entanglements. The ruling made it clear that Reformation is simply just a GCA firearm.”
Jacobson emphasized the broader Second Amendment implications of this legal win, calling it “an honor to secure this victory for the Second Amendment community in the face of agency overreach and tenacious litigation.”
A Resounding Legal Reversal for ATF
The landmark decision from U.S. District Court Judge Daniel M. Traynor pulled no punches. In granting summary judgment to the plaintiffs—Franklin Armory and the Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition (FRAC)—Judge Traynor concluded that the ATF had “exceeded its authority” by attempting to shoehorn the Reformation into a shotgun classification under either the GCA or NFA.
Key excerpts from the ruling:
- “Congress defined ‘shotgun’ specifically and said it had a ‘smooth bore.’”
- “The definition of ‘smoothbore’… is unambiguous.”
- “Straight grooves in a barrel would not fit the definition of ‘smoothbore’ or ‘rifle.’”
- “Franklin Armory presented a square peg, and ATF shoved it into a round hole.”
- “ATF exceeded its authority in defining ‘smoothbore’ as anything lacking ‘functional rifling.’”
Judge Traynor ordered the ATF’s prior classification of the Reformation vacated and reaffirmed that “no further action from ATF is needed.”
Legal to Own, Buy, and Transfer
As of now, possession of a Reformation firearm is federally legal with no NFA tax stamp required. Just like the Mossberg Shockwave, Remington Tac-14, or Franklin’s own XO-26, FFLs can legally transfer the Reformation under GCA-only guidelines.
Both 7.5-inch (RS7) and 11.5-inch (RS11) Reformation models are available immediately through Franklin Armory’s dealer network in most U.S. states. State-specific availability is listed at FranklinArmory.com/Reformation.
Reformation Models and Pricing
Each Reformation firearm features Franklin Armory’s patented NRS™ (Not a Rifle or Shotgun) barrel, and buyers can choose between a traditional semiauto trigger or the Binary Firing System®, which fires one round on pull and another on release.
Reformation RS7™
- 7.5-inch barrel, 7-inch Franklin FST handguard
- Forged aluminum receivers
- Chambered in 5.56 NATO or .300 Blackout
- Binary-equipped MSRP: $1,179.99
- Standard trigger MSRP: $1,099.99
- Includes: B5 Bravo stock, B5 P-Grip 23, vertical grip, salt bath nitride BCG, pistol-length gas system, and Triumvir® muzzle device.
Reformation RS11™
- 11.5-inch barrel, 11.5-inch Franklin FSR handguard
- Proprietary billet aluminum receivers
- Chambered in 5.56 NATO or .300 Blackout
- Binary-equipped MSRP: $1,669.99
- Standard trigger MSRP: $1,479.99
- Includes: Magpul SL-K stock, Ergo Ambi Sure grip, salt bath nitride BCG, carbine-length gas system, and Triumvir® muzzle device.
For more details on how the Binary Firing System works, Franklin Armory has released a video titled “How Binary® Works”.
About Franklin Armory®
Operating out of the “Battle Born” state of Nevada, Franklin Armory is a leading innovator in American-made firearms and accessories. Their mission: to safeguard the God-given right to self-defense. Known for boundary-pushing designs and legal challenges that set precedent, Franklin Armory is proud to be Facilitators of Freedom™.
Our Takeaway
With the ATF’s overreach checked and the Reformation back on the shelves, this case sets a powerful precedent.
Whether you’re in the market for a home defense firearm free of NFA entanglements or just want to own a piece of legal history, the Reformation® might be worth a serious look.
