{"id":2645590,"date":"2026-08-16T05:43:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T09:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-letting-texas-gun-ruling-take-effect-leaves-2a-activists-hopeful-and-anxious\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T05:49:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T09:49:00","slug":"doj-letting-texas-gun-ruling-take-effect-leaves-2a-activists-hopeful-and-anxious","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-letting-texas-gun-ruling-take-effect-leaves-2a-activists-hopeful-and-anxious\/","title":{"rendered":"DOJ letting Texas gun ruling take effect leaves 2A activists hopeful and anxious"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdoj-letting-texas-gun-ruling-take-effect-leaves-2a-activists-hopeful-and-anxious%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2645590&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Trump administration\u2019s decision not to appeal a recent court ruling allowing a Texas gun law to take effect has created a pathway for individuals to acquire suppressors and certain firearms without the usual National Firearms Act restrictions. Gun advocates see this as a positive development, though uncertainties remain as the Justice Department (DOJ) still has the option to challenge the ruling, and the decision&#8217;s scope is limited to specific plaintiffs and affiliated parties. The federal court, led by Judge James Wesley Hendrix, ruled that since Congress eliminated the $200 tax on making and transferring suppressors and related items, the associated registration and transfer requirements no longer hold valid under congressional taxing authority. The ruling excludes a universal application and does not overturn state laws or address broader Second Amendment issues. Industry stakeholders face questions on implementation, and gun rights groups urge the DOJ to accept the ruling rather than pursue further appeals, which could extend legal uncertainty. The DOJ has yet to clarify its next steps, and the situation remains fluid, with potential for continued legal contests into early October.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Trump administration<\/a>\u2019s decision to let a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\">Texas<\/a> gun ruling take effect without an emergency appeal opened a limited path for people covered by the order to acquire <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/guns\/\">suppressors and certain other firearms<\/a> without the burdensome requirements of going through the National Firearms Act\u2019s registration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives preapproval process.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat decision not to appeal is a great one,\u201d Aidan Johnston, Gun Owners of America\u2019s director of federal affairs, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> after the emergency-appeal deadline passed this week. Johnston\u2019s group <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3463355\/gun-groups-plan-lawsuits-end-national-firearms-act-big-beautiful-bill\/\">initially filed the lawsuit<\/a> in the Northern District of Texas on Independence Day last year.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4688345\/doj-texas-gun-ruling-take-effect\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOJ lets Texas gun ruling take effect, leaving Second Amendment activists hopeful and anxious<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4688491\/abbott-illegal-islamic-washing-stations-texas-airports\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Abbott appeals to Duffy to probe \u2018illegal\u2019 Islamic washing stations at Texas airports<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4688249\/court-revives-doj-subpoena-child-transgender-drug-provider\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Appeals court revives DOJ subpoena for child transgender drug provider<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">FILE \u2013 Firearms and suppressors are displayed at SHOT Show, the annual trade show for the gun industry, Jan. 21 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo\/Lisa Marie Pane, File)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/AP26217780110919.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FILE \u2013 Firearms and suppressors are displayed at SHOT Show, the annual trade show for the gun industry, Jan. 21 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo\/Lisa Marie Pane, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the initial excitement has begun to give way to a more complicated reality. The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a> still technically has a window to appeal, the court\u2019s ruling only applies to current or future members of Gun Owners of America, and gun stores and prospective buyers remain without public guidance from the federal government.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.txnd.406278\/gov.uscourts.txnd.406278.136.0.pdf\">Aug. 5 ruling<\/a> barred enforcement of challenged NFA provisions against the plaintiffs in <em>Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF<\/em>, as well as their members and customers. The provisions govern the transfer, registration, and making of suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and certain other weapons regulated under the 1934 law.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hendrix gave the Trump administration seven days to seek an emergency stay from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit before the injunction took effect. That deadline passed this week without a filing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Johnston said DOJ should not only allow the decision to stand but extend its effect beyond the organizations and individuals covered by the ruling. \u201cIt\u2019s not fair that you should have to buy a Gun Owners of America membership in order to exercise your <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/second-amendment\/\">Second Amendment<\/a> rights,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Justice Department still has 60 days from the judgment to file a conventional appeal, leaving open the possibility that the legal fight could continue into early October. A spokesperson for the DOJ has said it is still assessing the ruling\u2019s impact, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/regulation\/court-battles\/6027682-doj-gun-ruling-nfa-appeal-silence\/\">according<\/a> to a report from <em>The<\/em> <em>Hill<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hendrix\u2019s ruling followed Congress\u2019s elimination last year of the NFA\u2019s $200 making and transfer tax for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and certain other weapons. The judge concluded that, once Congress zeroed out those taxes, the accompanying registration and transfer requirements could no longer be justified under Congress\u2019s taxing power.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The court also did not reach the plaintiffs\u2019 Second Amendment arguments, nor did it wipe the NFA from the books. Hendrix expressly declined to issue a universal injunction, meaning the decision protects the plaintiffs and the covered people and businesses connected to them, rather than every gun owner nationwide. State laws regulating suppressors and other NFA firearms also remain in place.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That narrow scope has produced a fresh set of questions for the industry. Dealers must determine which customers and transactions are covered by the injunction, while buyers are left waiting for clarity on transfers, recordkeeping, and the status of firearms already registered with the ATF.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey do have to tell gun stores something,\u201d Johnston said of ATF. Citing questions over paperwork and how dealers should transfer covered firearms. \u201cThere\u2019s a million questions here,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The uncertainty has heightened anxiety among <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/second-amendment\/\">Second Amendment<\/a> activists who fear the administration could still change course. <em>The Federalist<\/em>\u2019s Sean Davis reported that Brett Shumate, the assistant attorney general leading DOJ\u2019s Civil Division, was working behind the scenes still to secure an appeal.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Davis <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/seanmdav\/status\/2088022460016853417\">claimed<\/a> in a post on X Thursday that \u201cmultiple Trump admin sources tell me Brett Shumate, who runs the DOJ civil division, is the DOJ official behind efforts to appeal the suppressor\/NFA decision and force continued registration of suppressors.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shumate signed the government\u2019s briefs defending the ATF in the case, though the DOJ has not publicly confirmed or denied Davis\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/08\/14\/landmark-suppressor-ruling-leaves-gun-world-with-more-questions-than-answers\/\">report<\/a>. The <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>reached out for comment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4687746\/gun-rights-sue-new-york-glock-ban\/\">GUN RIGHTS GROUPS SUE NEW YORK OVER GLOCK BAN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Johnston, who thanked Trump for being \u201cthe most pro-Second Amendment president ever,\u201d said he \u201cwould urge anyone within the administration to stand down and not to appeal and not to fight it.\u201d He argued that the DOJ should instead adopt Hendrix\u2019s ruling as the rule for all <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utah-axes-gun-permit-requirement\/\" title=\"Utah Axes Gun-Permit Requirement\u00a0\">law-abiding gun owners<\/a>, not only GOA members and the other protected parties.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gun-control\/\">Gun control groups<\/a> have warned that allowing the ruling to take effect weakens longstanding safeguards for suppressors and short-barreled firearms. For now, however, the DOJ\u2019s inaction has delivered a limited but meaningful victory to the plaintiffs \u2014 and left gun-rights groups watching closely for what comes next.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump admin allows Texas gun ruling to stand, easing suppressor rules<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2645591,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26217780110919.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[84239,84240,84241,32209,84238],"class_list":["post-2645590","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-2a-activism","tag-doj-ruling","tag-gun-rights-news","tag-second-amendment","tag-texas-gun-laws"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26217780110919.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2645590","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2645590"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2645590\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2645594,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2645590\/revisions\/2645594"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2645591"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2645590"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2645590"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2645590"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}