Since its passage in 1934 the National Firearms Act (NFA) has required the registration of certain types of arms, and a $200 tax stamp for their manufacture and transfer. At the time of its passage the NFA was justified by congress as an exercise of its taxation power, not a regulation of firearms which would have constitutional implications. When President Trump signed the “Big Beautiful Bill” the tax burden on silencers, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and any other weapons (AOW’s) were reduced to zero. The bill, nevertheless, retained the registration requirements of those arms. But with the tax burden now gone, the justification for the registering those arms had evaporated. Put bluntly – you can’t justify a law under the taxation power, if there is no taxation.
On August 1st, 2025 Second Amendment Foundation, joined by the American Suppressor Association, National Rifle Association and the Firearms Policy Coalition filed suit, seeking the further dismantling of the NFA by removing Silencers and Short Barreled Rifles entirely.
Case Team: David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson, Nicholas A. Varone
Recent Docket Activity
July 16th, 2026
Docket Text ORDER: The Court grants Plaintiffs' 88 Motion for Leave to File Notice of Supplemental Authorities. Defendants may file a response no later than July 23, 2026. The Court directs the Clerk of Court to separately docket Plaintiffs' Notice of Supplemental Authorities. Doc. 88-1. Signed by Chief District Judge Stephen R. Clark on 7/16/26.
July 16th, 2026
NOTICE of Supplemental Authority by Plaintiffs American Suppressor Association, Chris Brown, Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc., Allen Mayville, National Rifle Association of America, Prime Protection STL, LLC, Second Amendment Foundation.
July 14th, 2026
MOTION for Leave to File Notice of Supplemental Authorities by Plaintiffs American Suppressor Association, Chris Brown, Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc., Allen Mayville, National Rifle Association of America, Prime Protection STL, LLC, Second Amendment Foundation.
July 13th, 2026
RESPONSE TO COURT ORDER re 85 Order,,, Supplemental Brief by Plaintiffs American Suppressor Association, Chris Brown, Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc., Allen Mayville, National Rifle Association of America, Prime Protection STL, LLC, Second Amendment Foundation.
