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NewsKPBS Public MediaAugust 17, 2026San Diego

Federal court invalidates National Firearms Act registration requirements for specific plaintiffs

A federal judge in Texas has ruled that registration requirements for silencers and certain short-barreled firearms are unconstitutional for the plaintiffs in a recent lawsuit. This decision follows a 2025 legislative change that reduced the federal tax on these items to $0, which the court found removed the constitutional basis for the associated regulations.

firearmssecond amendmentfederal courtsnational firearms actsilencers
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Why It Matters

The ruling creates a complex legal environment where specific plaintiffs in the Texas case may no longer be required to register certain firearms or submit fingerprints and photos, while federal regulations remain in effect for the general public.

Key Facts

  • Judge James Wesley Hendrix invalidated key components of the National Firearms Act (NFA) for plaintiffs in a Texas case.
  • The ruling applies only to the plaintiffs in the Texas case, not nationwide.
  • The 2025 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' reduced the federal tax on NFA-regulated items from $200 to $0.
  • The court ruled that because the tax is now $0, the federal government lacks the constitutional taxing power to enforce registration and other NFA requirements.
  • The ruling covers silencers, short-barreled shotguns, short-barreled rifles, and 'any other weapons' (e.g., pen guns).
  • The Department of Justice declined to file an emergency appeal within the one-week deadline set by the judge.
  • The ATF continues to process forms consistent with existing law and agency policy.
  • Similar legal challenges to the NFA are currently ongoing in Missouri and Kentucky.

Who's Mentioned

organizationEverytown for Gun Safety“Gun control advocacy group”organizationDepartment of Justice“Federal agency responsible for defending the NFA”organizationSilencer Shop Foundation“Plaintiff in the Texas case”personJames Wesley Hendrix“Federal judge in the Northern District of Texas who issued the ruling”organizationBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives“Federal agency processing firearm forms”organizationGun Owners of America“Plaintiff and gun rights advocacy group”