In a landmark move for the Second Amendment community, Franklin Armory has announced that its new Antithesis™ line of firearms is now available — and here’s the game-changer — without any NFA paperwork, tax stamp, or interstate transport restrictions.
A True “Firearm”, Not an SBR
Franklin Armory’s Antithesis™ isn’t a short-barreled rifle, braced pistol, or SBS. Legally, it is classified simply as a “firearm” under the Gun Control Act. This means it transfers just like any other firearm, on a standard ATF Form 4473, with no tax stamp required, no Form 4, and no Form 5320.20 for interstate travel, and no entry in the NFA registry.
This development comes after years of litigation, during which Franklin Armory — backed by the Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition (FRAC) — challenged the ATF’s classification of its Reformation and Antithesis designs. The legal battle cost over a million dollars but ultimately ended in a February settlement that vacated the ATF’s earlier classification and applied nationwide.
The result: Antithesis is officially not an NFA item.
What the Antithesis Is, and Isn’t
The Antithesis is chambered in .45 Colt and .410 bore and can fire both slugs and shotshells. Future models will include 5.56 NATO variants with 7.5- to 12.5-inch rifled barrels — and yes, you can run a stock and even a vertical foregrip without falling afoul of the NFA.
Franklin Armory refers to the platform as the “Short-Barreled Franklin” (SBF™) and describes it as a firearm “designed and intended to fire both single and multiple projectile ammunition.” By virtue of its design, the Antithesis falls outside the federal definition of “rifle,” which requires a shoulder-fired firearm to fire only a single projectile per pull of the trigger.
Why This Matters
For gun owners, this means:
- No $200 Tax Stamp – Keep your money in your pocket.
- No Wait Times – Take it home the same day after a standard NICS check.
- No Registry – Your serial number stays off the NFA list.
- No Interstate Travel Forms – Bring it across state lines with no paperwork.
For the industry, this could signal the beginning of the end for the SBR category as a whole. With Antithesis firearms classified as standard GCA “others,” and Franklin Armory planning to license the design to other manufacturers, expect to see many more of these NFA-free configurations hitting the market.
Legal experts have already noted that this case strengthens the “common use” argument for short-barreled, stock-equipped firearms — a key element under Bruen and Heller in challenging federal restrictions.
The ATF Confirms
In an open letter to all Federal Firearms Licensees dated August 29, 2025, the ATF formally rescinded its 2019 guidance on the Reformation and confirmed that both the Reformation and Antithesis are not subject to the NFA. FFLs are instructed to transfer these firearms by checking the “other firearm” box on the 4473.
Final Thoughts
Franklin Armory’s Antithesis represents one of the biggest wins for gun owners in years. Not only does it deliver a unique, practical firearm for home defense and range fun, but it also chips away at decades-old federal restrictions that gun rights advocates have long criticized.
With Antithesis shipping now and Franklin Armory signaling a licensing strategy to get this design into the hands of other manufacturers, the next 12 months could see millions of these firearms in circulation — bolstering the “common use” doctrine and making any future attempts at prohibition even harder to justify.
Bottom line: If you’ve been waiting for an NFA-free shorty with a stock, your wait is over.