DOJ Divided Over Appealing Court Ruling That Guts Key NFA Provisions

Summary

The Department of Justice is internally divided on whether to appeal a federal district court ruling from Texas in the case of *Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF* that struck down key provisions of the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) related to short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), suppressors, and any other weapons (AOWs). The court ruled that the NFA's registration and transfer requirements lost their constitutional basis once the $200 tax stamp fee was eliminated, as the NFA was justified as a tax statute. An injunction was issued, stayed until August 12, with a potential appeal to the Fifth Circuit looming.