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The legal fight over the National Firearms Act took another major turn Thursday after the Department of Justice allowed a key deadline to pass without seeking to keep a federal injunction on hold.
That means the injunction issued in Jensen v. ATF is now officially in effect, marking one of the biggest developments in the ongoing effort to dismantle portions of the NFA registration system.
Trump Admin Lets Key Gun Law Lapse After GOA Pressure
— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) August 13, 2026
"The retreat by the Justice Department effectively allowed a pillar of the Prohibition-era National Firearms Act to lapse."
Read the full article below:⤵️ https://t.co/kpTqarewdt pic.twitter.com/R43vfl7PFb
The Second Amendment Foundation announced the news Thursday morning, calling it another major step toward eliminating what it considers an unconstitutional federal registration scheme for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and “any other weapons” covered under the National Firearms Act.
Table of contents
What Changed?
Last week, a federal judge ruled that once Congress eliminated the NFA’s longstanding $200 transfer tax through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the remaining federal registration requirement no longer had a constitutional foundation.
The court gave the government seven days to request a stay while it considered an appeal. That deadline expired Wednesday night. The government did not seek the stay. As a result, the injunction is now active.
“This is huge,” the hosts of Armed Attorneys said in a video breaking down the ruling. “I really am surprised they did not appeal this. I did not see that coming.”
SAF Celebrates the Win
The DOJ failed to protect common-sense regulations on silencers, short-barreled rifles, and other uniquely dangerous firearms and devices that have been in place since 1934!
— Brady | United Against Gun Violence (@bradybuzz) August 13, 2026
Our electeds are supposed to serve the American people, not the gun industry. https://t.co/45FIB4Ti9y
SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut welcomed the development but cautioned that the legal battle isn’t over.
“We’re thrilled that Americans are one big step closer to being free of the unconstitutional NFA registration scheme,” Kraut said.
He also noted that the government still has time to appeal the underlying decision and that questions remain about exactly how ATF will implement the injunction.
That’s an important distinction. No stay does not necessarily mean no appeal.
What Can Gun Owners Do Now?
That’s where things become more complicated.
According to Armed Attorneys, the injunction currently protects members of the organizations covered by the lawsuit’s certified class.
That includes members of organizations like the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and Gun Owners of America, depending on the specific litigation involved.
The attorneys recommend that anyone planning to purchase or manufacture an affected firearm first confirm they fall within the protected class.
“As of now, if you are not a class member, you are not covered,” they cautioned.
Dealers Are Still Waiting
You can support our lawsuits and lobbying efforts to gut the NFA by joining GOA here:⤵️https://t.co/OA64nPOEmS https://t.co/AUYwtU6s8D
— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) August 13, 2026
Another practical issue is guidance from ATF. Many federally licensed firearm dealers are still waiting for official instructions before changing their procedures.
Armed Attorneys urged gun owners to be patient with their local FFLs. Some dealers may be ready to proceed immediately. Others may decide to wait until ATF issues formal guidance.
It is not because they hate the Second Amendment,” one attorney said. “That license is their livelihood.”
In other words, maybe don’t march into your neighborhood gun shop demanding your suppressor while waving court documents like you’re starring in your own courtroom drama.
This Isn’t the Final Chapter
🚨 BREAKING: I’ve received confirmation from the Trump Administration that the DOJ will NOT appeal our historic court victory against the NFA.
— Rep. Andrew Clyde (@Rep_Clyde) August 13, 2026
THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP and Attorney General Blanche, for delivering the most significant Second Amendment win in OVER 90 YEARS!
Even with the injunction taking effect, the attorneys repeatedly emphasized this isn’t the end of the story. The DOJ can still appeal the district court’s ruling. Congress could also revisit the issue in the future.
“This was not a Second Amendment case,” they explained. “This was a tax case.”
If lawmakers were to restore a tax on NFA-regulated firearms, the legal landscape could shift again.
A Historic Moment
SAF founder Alan Gottlieb called Thursday’s development another milestone in undoing what he sees as decades of unconstitutional regulation.
“For more than nine decades citizens were forced to pay $200 to exercise their Second Amendment rights,” Gottlieb said. “We will gladly continue fighting this registration requirement so all Americans can exercise their constitutional freedoms without worry of being placed on some government roster.”
Whether higher courts ultimately agree is what we’re waiting on now.
But after more than 90 years, the federal government’s NFA registration system has suffered one of its most significant legal setbacks yet.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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