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Justice Dept. leaves in place ruling that deregulates silencers, shotguns and certain rifles
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- A Texas judge's ruling has deregulated short-barreled rifles, shotguns, and silencers, allowing some Americans to possess these firearms without federal registration, as the Trump administration declined to seek a stay on the decision.
- The ruling stems from the 2025 repeal of the $200 tax on certain firearms transfers, which the judge found eliminated the constitutional basis for the National Firearms Act's regulation of these weapons.
- Gun-control advocates warn that deregulation could increase the risk of these weapons falling into the wrong hands, while gun rights groups celebrated the decision as a victory for Second Amendment rights.
- The ruling currently applies only to parties involved in two consolidated lawsuits, including gun rights organizations and some states, with the Justice Department still considering whether to appeal.
- Attorney General Todd Blanche has stated that the Department of Justice's role is to defend the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress, deferring to Congress on decisions about the NFA's future.
