Justice Department won’t enforce registration rules on silencers and certain guns after court ruling

The Justice Department has decided to relax registration rules for firearm suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and certain other guns following a court ruling that invalidated specific provisions of a key law. This announcement comes in response to a Texas judge's decision in August that found the permitting process unconstitutional.

The ruling was confined to the parties involved in that case, but the Justice Department has now chosen to implement the new enforcement policy on a wider scale. The agency's director, Rob Cekada, stated that the department would adhere to the guidance from the President, Congress, and the courts by adjusting its enforcement stance.

The move represents the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to reduce restrictions on firearms, which have been a point of contention among gun rights advocates. The Texas case centered around regulations outlined in the National Firearms Act from the 1930s, which aimed to address concerns related to mafia-related violence. U.S. District Judge James Hendrix ruled that these rules for purchasing silencers, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and other specific firearms should be implemented after the Republican-controlled Congress and President Donald Trump removed a $200 permit tax on these devices.

The Justice Department opted not to challenge the judge's decision. Critics of the ruling argue that it undermines public safety and is a reckless decision. Cekada explained that after the court's ruling, the department faced numerous inquiries from the public and members of Congress regarding their approach to enforcement across the country.

The administration believes that addressing the rules nationwide would prevent a confusing patchwork of regulations and maintain a consistent standard. Under the new guidelines, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) will no longer require registration for these firearms, with the exception of individuals residing in about 15 states that have their own state laws mandating the federal permitting process.

Registration will still be necessary for machine guns and certain "destructive devices" under federal law. All potential buyers must still complete the standard firearms purchasing form, which includes questions regarding disqualifying factors and undergo a background check.