Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
History was made just after midnight in Texas.
For the first time since the National Firearms Act (NFA) became law in 1934, two Americans legally took possession of suppressors without complying with the federal registration requirements that have governed those items for more than 90 years.
The milestone comes after a federal judge issued an injunction preventing the ATF from enforcing NFA registration requirements on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and “any other weapons” against the plaintiffs in GOA’s lawsuit.
The first transfers took place at Silencer Shop’s new retail location in Leander, Texas. GOA members Brandon Herrera and Texas State Rep. Wes Virdell became the first people to receive suppressors under the court order.
🚨BREAKING🚨
— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) August 13, 2026
It's official! @SilencerShop completed the first lawful, unregistered suppressor transfer since June 26th, 1934.@TheAKGuy's purchase was approved & @WesVirdellTX skipped the background check with his concealed carry permit. This is One Big Beautiful Victory. 🇺🇸🔫 https://t.co/5cyDgVWeM9 pic.twitter.com/grhXqpMjJV
Table of contents
A Long Fight Finally Pays Off
This moment didn’t happen overnight.
Earlier this year, Congress eliminated the NFA’s $200 transfer tax on suppressors and certain other NFA items through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Gun Owners of America strongly backed that effort, working alongside Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) to strip away the tax that had been the constitutional foundation for much of the NFA.
But while the tax disappeared, the registration requirement remained.
GOA immediately filed what it called its “One Big Beautiful Lawsuit,” arguing that without the tax, Congress no longer had constitutional authority to require federal registration of these firearms.
Last week, a federal judge agreed. At least for the plaintiffs in the case.
The ATF Didn’t Object
Before completing the transfers, GOA, Silencer Shop, Herrera, and Virdell formally notified both the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that they intended to transfer suppressors without NFA registration.
According to GOA, the ATF did not object.
That cleared the way for the transfers to occur just after 12:01 a.m. Central Time on August 13, while still complying with every other applicable federal and state law.
GOA: “The Era of Federal Registration Must End”
GOA Senior Vice President Erich Pratt called the moment the next step in dismantling what the organization considers unconstitutional restrictions.
“GOA fought to crush the NFA’s unconstitutional restrictions through the One Big Beautiful Bill, but we didn’t stop there. We promised to keep fighting until these restrictions were gone, and now our members are putting the historic victory into action. The era of federal registration for constitutionally protected arms must end.”
Brandon Herrera: “Tip of the Spear”
Brandon Herrera, one of the two GOA members receiving a suppressor under the injunction, said he was proud to be part of the legal milestone.
I’m happy to once again be working with Gun Owners of America to help be the tip of the spear fighting for gun owners, constitutional rights, and civil rights of not only Texans, but all Americans.
Silencer Shop Calls It a Historic Moment
Silencer Shop CEO Dave Matheny said the company was honored to play a role in what many in the firearms industry view as a landmark event.
We couldn’t be more excited for our customers, dealers, and the future of the Second Amendment. This is a huge victory, but we still have a long way to go… Silencer Shop will continue to lead the way… working to unwind the NFA.”
The company’s nonprofit arm, the Silencer Shop Foundation, also emphasized that the case was made possible through financial support from its members and donors.
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CEO Lauren Spivey added:
“This win belongs to the people and customers who made it possible… we’ll keep working to ensure all lawful Americans are protected under this ruling.”
More Challenges Still Ahead
Although this marks the first known suppressor transfers without NFA registration since 1934, the legal fight is far from over.
The injunction currently applies only to the plaintiffs covered by the case, and the Department of Justice is expected to continue defending the NFA registration system on appeal.
Still, the event represents a dramatic moment in the ongoing legal battle over the National Firearms Act.
Whether this ultimately becomes the beginning of the end for federal suppressor registration (or simply another step in a lengthy court fight) will likely be decided in the months ahead.
For now, though, GOA, Silencer Shop, and the lawsuit’s plaintiffs have accomplished something that hadn’t happened in more than nine decades.
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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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