Justice Department ends registration enforcement for silencers and certain guns
In short
The Justice Department said Friday it would no longer enforce federal registration requirements for firearm suppressors, short-barreled rifles and certain other guns. The change extends beyond the parties covered by an August ruling in Texas that found the permitting process unconstitutional.
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The Justice Department said Friday it would stop enforcing federal registration requirements for firearm suppressors, known as silencers, short-barreled rifles and certain other guns. The announcement followed an August ruling by a Texas judge that struck down provisions governing the permitting process. [ 2 , 3 ]
The ruling applied only to the parties involved in the case. The Trump administration's new enforcement policy extends the decision more broadly, allowing more people to purchase the affected firearms and devices without registering them with the federal government. The registration process had required purchasers to fill out a form, provide fingerprints and wait for government approval. [ 2 , 3 ]
U.S. District Judge James Hendrix said the purchasing rules for silencers, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and certain other firearms must fall after Congress and President Donald Trump eliminated the $200 permit tax on those devices. The Justice Department opted not to appeal his decision. The regulations at issue were part of the National Firearms Act, a law passed in the 1930s in response to concerns about mafia violence. [ 2 ]
Rob Cekada, director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said in an emailed statement that the agency was changing its enforcement posture in line with direction from the president, Congress and the courts. He said the agency would continue to focus on combating violent crime in American communities. [ 2 , 3 ]
Gun rights activists have long argued that the registration requirements were overly burdensome. Groups supporting gun restrictions criticized both the judge's ruling and the Justice Department's decision to let it stand, saying the regulations were important for public safety. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The policy allows more people to buy the affected devices without federal registration. Gun rights activists have called the process burdensome, while groups supporting gun restrictions argue that the regulations protect public safety.
Key facts
- The Justice Department announced broader non-enforcement of registration requirements on Friday. [ 2 , 3 ]
- A Texas judge ruled in August that the permitting process was unconstitutional. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Congress and President Donald Trump eliminated a $200 permit tax on the affected devices. [ 2 ]
- The Justice Department chose not to appeal the ruling. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Nothing is confirmed by two independent outlets yet.
Still unclear
- The new enforcement policy extends beyond the parties covered by the Texas court ruling. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Associated Press reported that the Justice Department would not enforce registration rules for silencers and certain guns. [ 1 ]