The Justice Department will no longer enforce federal registration requirements for firearm suppressors and short-barreled rifles following a Texas court ruling.

The U.S. Justice Department announced Friday it will stop enforcing federal registration requirements for firearm suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and certain other firearms. This policy change follows a ruling by a Texas judge that declared the permitting process unconstitutional. The administration opted not to appeal the decision, choosing instead to apply the ruling nationwide to prevent a patchwork of regulations across the country.

Background of the Policy Change

The decision stems from a case involving regulations in the 1930s-era National Firearms Act, which was initially enacted to address mafia violence. U.S. District Judge James Hendrix ruled that the permitting rules for devices like silencers and short-barreled shotguns were invalid after Congress and President Donald Trump eliminated the associated $200 permit tax.

Implementation and Exceptions

While the federal government is relaxing its enforcement posture, the new guidance does not apply to all jurisdictions. Registration remains mandatory for buyers residing in approximately 15 states that maintain their own laws requiring federal permitting. Additionally, the federal registration process remains in effect for machine guns.