Are FRT Triggers Legal? YES, Complete 2026 Federal & State Guide
Are FRT Triggers Legal? YES they are! Complete 2026 Guide
Yes, FRT (force reset) triggers are federally legal in the United States as of May 2025, following the DOJ settlement with Rare Breed Triggers that reversed the ATF's prior machine gun classification. FRT triggers fire one round per trigger pull and are legally defined as semi-automatic. They are currently restricted or prohibited in CA, CT, DE, HI, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OR, RI, WA, and DC. Purchasers are responsible for compliance with state and local laws.
Yes — FRT triggers are federally legal as of May 2025. A landmark DOJ settlement formally resolved the federal government's position on forced reset triggers, ending years of legal uncertainty. The Partisan Disruptor and other commercially available FRTs can be legally purchased and possessed under federal law. State laws vary — see the state-by-state breakdown below.
Informational only. This page summarizes publicly available legal developments for educational purposes. It is not legal advice. Laws change — always verify current federal, state, and local regulations before purchasing, possessing, or using any trigger device.
Current Federal Status (2026)
FRT triggers are not classified as machine guns under federal law following the May 2025 DOJ settlement. The settlement resolved the government's prior enforcement position and established clear federal procedures for handling FRTs going forward — including procedures for previously seized property.
Prior to May 2025, the ATF had taken the position that certain FRTs constituted machine guns under the National Firearms Act. That position was formally resolved through the settlement. FRTs that require a separate, deliberate trigger pull for each shot fired are not machine guns under federal law.
The Partisan Disruptor is a drop-in forced reset trigger cassette legally manufactured and sold in the United States under current federal law.
FRT Legal Timeline: Key Events
Patent Foundation
Core FRT patents filed and issued, establishing forced reset triggers as a legitimate commercial product category. Key patents include the Stakes/Tac-Con patent (US 9,518,793), the Bonner rapid-reset patent (US 9,829,263), and the Rounds carrier-driven reset patent (US 10,514,223).
ATF Seizures & Machine Gun Classification Dispute
The ATF began asserting that certain FRTs — including the Rare Breed FRT-15 — constituted machine guns under the National Firearms Act. The DeMonico patent (US 11,346,627) was issued to Rare Breed during this period. Legal challenges began in multiple federal districts, including the EDNY matter.
Federal Litigation Intensifies
The ATF Memorandum from the EDNY matter was used to justify seizure efforts and machine gun assertions. Legal challenges mounted from multiple manufacturers and owners. Additional FRT patents continued to issue (US 11,724,003).
Super Safety C&D Issued
A cease and desist notice was issued targeting Super Safety parts alleged to enable infringing use — reflecting ongoing IP disputes within the FRT product category separate from the federal legality question.
DOJ Federal Settlement — FRTs Confirmed Legal ✓
The landmark federal settlement formally resolved the government's enforcement position on FRTs. The agreement defined post-settlement federal handling of FRTs and established procedures for previously seized property. This settlement is the controlling federal authority on FRT legality today.
Active IP Litigation: Rare Breed v. Partisan
Separate from federal legality, civil IP litigation continues between Rare Breed and Partisan (Peak Tactical). Rare Breed's request for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction was denied by the court on February 13, 2026 — meaning the Partisan Disruptor remains available for sale pending the case on the merits. This is a patent dispute, not a federal legality question.
State-by-State FRT Legality (2026)
Federal legality does not override state law. Several states have enacted restrictions on FRTs or rapid-fire trigger devices independent of the federal classification. Always verify your state's current statutes before purchasing.
| State | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | Restricted | State law restricts rapid-fire trigger devices. Verify current statutes. |
| New York | Restricted | State assault weapon and trigger device laws apply. Verify current statutes. |
| New Jersey | Restricted | State firearm laws restrict certain trigger modifications. Verify current statutes. |
| Hawaii | Restricted | State firearm restrictions apply. Verify current statutes. |
| Washington |
Verify/ Restricted |
State laws have evolved — verify current statutes before purchase. |
| Colorado | Verify | Rapid-fire device legislation has been introduced — verify current statutes. |
| Texas | Legal (Federal) | No state-level FRT restriction. Federal law applies. |
| Florida | Ever Changing | No state-level FRT restriction. Federal law applies. |
| Idaho | Legal (Federal) | No state-level FRT restriction. Federal law applies. |
| Arizona | Legal (Federal) | No state-level FRT restriction. Federal law applies. |
| All other states | Verify locally | Confirm current state and local ordinances before purchase. |
This table reflects publicly available information and is updated periodically. Laws change — verify current statutes in your jurisdiction before purchasing.
2026 Active Litigation: What It Means for Buyers
The ongoing civil case between Rare Breed (ABC IP) and Partisan (Peak Tactical) is an intellectual property dispute — not a federal legality question. The two issues are completely separate.
What matters for buyers right now:
- Rare Breed's request for an emergency TRO to halt Partisan sales was denied by the court on February 13, 2026
- The Partisan Disruptor is legally available for purchase pending the case on the merits
- The court's denial means the judge did not find sufficient grounds to halt sales immediately — the status quo is maintained
- This litigation has no bearing on federal FRT legality established by the May 2025 settlement
Public court documents in this case include the initial complaint, Partisan's opposition brief, multiple technical and damages declarations, and the February 13, 2026 order denying the TRO — all reflecting active, ongoing proceedings.
FAQ: FRT Trigger Legality
Are FRT triggers legal to buy in 2026?
Yes, under federal law. The May 2025 DOJ settlement resolved the federal government's prior enforcement position. FRT triggers that require a separate trigger pull for each shot are not classified as machine guns under federal law. State laws vary — check your state before purchasing.
Did the ATF ban FRT triggers?
The ATF previously asserted that certain FRTs constituted machine guns, leading to seizures. That position was resolved through the May 2025 federal settlement. There is no current ATF ban on FRT triggers.
Is the Partisan Disruptor legal to buy?
Yes. The Partisan Disruptor is a federally legal forced reset trigger. A February 2026 court order also denied an emergency attempt to halt its sale, meaning it remains available for purchase while civil IP litigation between manufacturers continues separately.
Does the Rare Breed vs Partisan lawsuit affect whether I can buy an FRT?
No. That case is a civil patent dispute between two companies. The court denied the request to halt Partisan sales in February 2026. It does not affect the federal legality of FRTs established by the 2025 settlement, and it does not prevent you from purchasing a Partisan Disruptor.
Are FRT triggers legal in my state?
It depends on your state. Several states — including California, New York, New Jersey, and Hawaii — have state-level restrictions on rapid-fire trigger devices that apply independently of federal law. See the state-by-state table above and verify current statutes in your jurisdiction before purchasing.
What is the difference between an FRT and a machine gun?
A machine gun fires continuously while the trigger is held. An FRT requires a separate, deliberate trigger pull for each shot — the trigger resets rapidly but each shot is still a distinct pull. This distinction is central to why FRTs are not classified as machine guns under the NFA following the 2025 settlement.
Related Resources