A federal judge in Texas ruled on August 5, 2026, that key provisions of the National Firearms Act (NFA) can no longer be enforced. U.S. District Judge James Hendrix found that Congress lost its constitutional basis for regulating suppressors and certain short-barreled firearms after eliminating the tax that justified these restrictions. The ruling includes a permanent injunction against enforcing parts of the NFA related to suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns.
This decision follows legislation signed by former President Donald Trump that reduced the transfer and manufacturing tax on these items from $200 to zero while maintaining registration requirements. Judge Hendrix stated that the removal of the tax means the remaining registration and approval requirements cannot be justified under Congress's taxing power.
The ruling may allow individuals to acquire suppressors and short-barreled firearms without completing the federal registration process, although standard federal background checks will still apply for purchases through licensed dealers. Gun rights organizations view this as a significant victory, while gun control advocates argue it undermines public safety by removing established safeguards.