Texas Judge: NFA Can't Regulate Suppressors If Congress Eliminated the Tax

Executive Briefing

• Ruled Texas federal judge: NFA registration requirements for suppressors and short-barreled rifles are unconstitutional after Congress zeroed out their taxes.
• Determined Judge Hendrix that NFA regulations exceed Congress's taxing power authority since no revenue is generated from the affected firearm categories.
• Acknowledged DOJ in multiple filings that beneficial use of suppressors overwhelms criminal misuse, undermining a key regulatory justification.
• Claimed NRA-ILA that the ruling represents a major step toward fully repealing the National Firearms Act, calling it a 'historic' decision.
• Affected categories include suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and miscellaneous firearms whose taxes were eliminated in July 2025.