ARES Defense: New SBRs and NFA Fee Reimbursement

by
posted on October 15, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ares-16-sub-carbine-007_lede_.jpg
ARES Defense Systems, which manufactures mission-configurable firearms, parts and accessories, has introduced factory SBRs (Short Barrel Rifles) to the U.S. commercial market. Additionally, the company has announced a “Payback-200 Program,” whereby it will reimburse customers for the first $200 transfer tax that applies to its SBRs under the National Firearms Act (NFA). The NFA specifies a transfer tax of $200 for each firearm transfer between individuals that falls under its purview, such as machine guns, suppressors, short-barrel rifles (SBRs), short-barrel shotguns (SBSs), and destructive devices.




"With the increasing popularity of SBRs and the transfer times simultaneously becoming shorter, we feel that it's a great time to enter this space and offer our factory SBRs to the civilian consumer,” said Geoffrey Herring, President and CEO of ARES Defense. “Part of my function is to not only ensure that we're responsive to our customer's needs, but that we try to remove sales barriers that may impede our customers from otherwise enjoying our products."

Herring said the company demonstrated this commitment when it tirelessly worked with the NYPD to overturn an initial determination that prevented customers from legally owning ARES Defense products in highly gun-restrictive New York City, which now permits registration of ARES SCRs (Sport Configurable Rifle).

“We have no illusion that the $200 NFA tax is likely to ever be repealed, but we're offering a solution for our customers who would like to own our factory SBR's,” he said. “Our solution is for us to reimburse them for the $200 NFA Transfer Tax in the form of a full value cash rebate under our ARES Payback-200 program. It sounds unconventional and that's because it is."

Here's how it works: A serialized ARES Payback-200 certificate that matches the ARES Factory SBR is supplied with each rifle. The rifle transfers tax exempt to an FFL/SOT Dealer or Manufacturer, who then transfers the rifle to the Individual on an ATF Form 4 with $200 tax payment. Upon approval of the transfer, the individual supplies ARES Defense with a legible copy of his or her approved ATF Form 4 with Tax Stamp and matching serial number of the original ARES Payback-200 Certificate. Upon receipt, ARES will reimburse that Individual with their choice of $200 cash or a $200 product rebate. Once the serialized ARES Payback-200 Certificate is claimed, any future transfers of that specific rifle must be paid by the next transferee in the manner that is currently done throughout the industry. For more, visit aresdefense.com

For more on ARES Defense firearms, please enjoy the following articles:

ARES Defense Mission Configurable Rifle MCR 
ARES Defense SCR: Legal In All 50 States
ARES Defense Shrike 556 Advanced Weapons Systems

Latest

2026 New Suppressor Guide
2026 New Suppressor Guide

New Suppressors for 2026: A Full Guide

With the removal of the $200 NFA tax stamp on suppressors, the only sound reverberating across the firearms landscape is “cha-ching.”

MDT Now Offering Lone Peak Arms Rifle Actions

Earlier in 2026, MDT announced that it had acquired Lone Peak Arms, and now, the company's rifle actions are available to consumers.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 31, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

NRA-ILA Launches First-Ever National “Gun Bus Battleground Tour” to Mobilize Gun Owners for 2026 Midterms

The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) today launched its first-ever national bus tour, the 2026 NRA’s Gun Bus Battleground Tour, a more than two-month, 13-state campaign to energize and turn out gun owners in key battleground states ahead of the November midterm elections.

Review: TriStar KR.22

Manufactured by Kral Arms in Turkey, the TriStar Arms KR.22 is a lightweight semi-automatic that offers everything you need to get started or to perfect what you’ve learned over the years.

Safe Space: 5 Must-Have Accessories to Organize Your Gun Safe

It's a perennial problem for gun owners: not enough safe space. Here are five organizing products that will help you squeeze a bit more in your existing gun safe before you have to run out and buy another.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.