NFA Injunction in Effect

Federal Court Blocks Major NFA Requirements for Suppressors, SBRs and SBSs

August 13, 2026 — On August 5, U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix ruled that major National Firearms Act registration and approval requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns are unconstitutional as applied to the parties protected by the court’s judgment.

The court reasoned that the NFA was enacted under Congress’s taxing power. After Congress reduced the applicable making and transfer taxes to $0, the challenged registration, fingerprinting, paperwork and prior-approval requirements could no longer be supported as tax-collection measures. The court also rejected the government’s attempt to justify the requirements under the Commerce Clause.

The ruling involves two consolidated cases: Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF and the NRA-supported Jensen v. ATF.

The injunction protects the named parties and, where applicable, their agencies, political subdivisions, current and future members, and current and future customers.

The Jensen plaintiffs include:

• Texas State Rifle Association
• Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
• FPC Action Foundation
• Hot Shots Custom LLC
• Several individual plaintiffs

The court initially stayed its judgment for seven days to allow the government to request appellate relief. That temporary stay has expired, and the injunction is now in effect.

However, the government may still appeal or seek a new stay. The legal and procedural status should be confirmed before anyone relies upon the injunction.

This ruling did not repeal the entire NFA or create a universal nationwide injunction.

Several important federal requirements were not enjoined:

• Federal restrictions affecting licensed dealer transfers of SBRs and SBSs remain in place.
• Interstate transportation authorization for SBRs and SBSs may still be required.
• The existing Special Occupational Tax requirements for NFA dealers were not eliminated.
• Independent state restrictions continue to apply.
• ATF has not issued complete guidance explaining how covered transactions should be documented and processed.

These unresolved issues are especially important for federally licensed manufacturers and dealers.

ATF and the Department of Justice have not issued complete guidance explaining how covered dealers and purchasers should document or complete transactions under the injunction.

Important questions remain regarding:

• Required federal forms and background checks
• Dealer acquisition and disposition records
• Verification of membership in a protected organization
• Trust and legal-entity purchases
• Dealer transfers of SBRs and SBSs
• Special Occupational Tax requirements
• Interstate transportation of SBRs and SBSs

Until binding guidance is available, purchasers, manufacturers, distributors and dealers should proceed carefully and obtain qualified legal advice before relying upon the injunction.

Membership does not independently guarantee that a person, firearm or transaction qualifies for relief. Eligibility depends upon the court’s judgment, applicable federal and state law and the individual facts of the transaction.

Additional updates will be provided as reliable information becomes available.