Ruling That Ripped Red Tape Could Start Countdown Clock To Doomsday For Another Gun Ban

August 08, 2026 10:00 AM ET A federal judge’s decision that the National Firearms Act (NFA) no longer applies to suppressors and other items whose taxes were reduced to $0 in July 2025 could open a path to end a 40-year-old ban on new civilian machine gun sales.In the 66-page opinion, United States District Judge James Wesley Hendrix of the Northern District of Texas, a Trump appointee, said that because taxes on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and other items had been reduced to $0 by legislation signed by President Donald Trump in July 2025, the registration and paperwork imposed by the NFA exceeded Congress’ authority under the taxation power. Republican Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert introduced H.R. 8921 on May 20, which would remove the $200 transfer tax on m