GOA Applauds House for Suppressor Deregulation, Urges Senate to Finish the Job for Short Barreled Firearms

Gun Owners of America (GOA) applauded the inclusion of the Constitutional Hearing Protection Act (CHPA) in the latest budget reconciliation package, which repeals the $200 suppressor tax and registration—thus removing one of the most senseless burdens on law-abiding gun owners.

This long-awaited win will make suppressors more accessible for millions of Americans, improve hearing safety for shooters, and mark a significant rollback of federal overreach under the archaic and unconstitutional National Firearms Act of 1934.

GOA thanks Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) for his leadership in championing the CHPA and fighting to include it in reconciliation. However, GOA continues to push for the full repeal of the NFA’s short-barreled rifle tax and registration provisions through the inclusion of Sec. 2 of the SHORT Act in the Senate’s budget reconciliation package.

Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of Gun Owners of America, issued the following statement: “Eliminating the suppressor registration and tax is a major step forward for liberty and safety. This would not have happened without Rep. Clyde’s resolve and strategic leadership. Gun owners have one less unconstitutional hurdle to worry about—but we’re not done. The Senate needs to deliver on President Trump’s campaign promise to protect gun owners from another ban on short-barreled firearms like the Biden Pistol Brace Ban.”

Aidan Johnston, GOA’s Director of Federal Affairs, added: “Gun Owners of America fully supports Sec. 112029 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The elimination of the NFA’s unconstitutional excise tax & registration of suppressors is a massive victory for the Second Amendment. Now, GOA is calling on the Senate to also protect short-barreled firearms!”

GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.

SAF Leadership Statements on House Passage of H.R. 1

“We’d like to thank members of the House for passing H.R. 1 with Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act included. Removing silencers from the National Firearms Act eliminates a large barrier that infringes on the Second Amendment rights of Americans. While there are many components to the bill, we are cautiously optimistic the inclusion of Section 2 makes it through Senate approval and will finally remove silencers from the NFA. Such a result would serve to allow Americans access to devices which helps protect their hearing and reduce noise pollution to neighboring properties. Even former President Theodore Roosevelt utilized silencers for these very purposes.”

Statement from SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb: Read more

FPC Brief: New York Parks Are Not Constitution-Free Zones

NEW YORK CITY – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced the filing of its reply brief with the federal Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in its lawsuit challenging New York’s ban on firearm carry in public parks.

FPC’s brief says, “The State’s chief argument in favor of the Ban is, effectively, that it has the right to create ‘new’ types of old [gun ban] spaces, with the difference being that firearms are not allowed under the new rules—but that is precisely the type of change the Second Amendment is designed to prevent, and the State’s argument must be rejected.”

FPC President Brandon Combs said, “New York responded to the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision by doing exactly what the Court said it could not and banned carry in most all public places. New York’s petulance and tyranny should be put to an end by the Second Circuit. We will continue to fight forward and eliminate unconstitutional laws like this so peaceable gun owners can fully exercise their rights when and how they choose.” Read more

SAF Lawsuit Challenges Under 21 Handgun Ban in Connecticut

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its partners have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging Connecticut’s ban on adults under the age of 21 from purchasing, owning or carrying handguns.

“Second Amendment rights cannot be withheld from peaceable adults based on their age,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “To do so would relegate the amendment’s guarantees to second-class status, which offends the very notion of the Constitution’s premise. Our nation’s history and tradition does not support this ‘Second Amendment lite’ version being offered to 18-20-year-olds in Connecticut. This lawsuit seeks to vindicate the rights of those individuals who are being unlawfully discriminated against based solely on their age.” Read more

FPC Opposes Texas’ Attempt to Maintain Gun Carry Bans

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that it has filed an opposition to Texas’ motion for summary judgment in its Second Amendment lawsuit challenging laws prohibiting individuals from carrying firearms at certain locations in the state.

Summary

Texas criminal law bans the carriage of firearms at certain locations, including in any business where alcohol comprises 51% or more of sales (even if the individual is not consuming alcohol); at racetracks; and at sporting events. FPC is working to eliminate these bans but the State of Texas is resisting FPC’s efforts by trying to prevent the plaintiffs from getting relief in court.

What We’re Working to Achieve

Through this case, FPC is working to achieve the including:

  • A federal court declaration that the challenged carry bans are unconstitutional.
  • An injunction blocking enforcement of the challenged carry bans.
  • The ability for peaceable people to travel to ordinary public places while armed for self-defense and other lawful purposes.
  • Elimination of unconstitutional locational restrictions throughout the United States. Read more

GOA, Firearms Industry Urge Congress to Repeal NFA Taxes Through Budget Reconciliation

“Congress has the tools to repeal these outdated and unconstitutional taxes.”

Washington, D.C. — Gun Owners of America (GOA) today led a coalition of top firearms manufacturers and industry leaders in urging Congress to repeal the unconstitutional gun taxes imposed under the National Firearms Act of 1934. In a letter sent to Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, GOA and its No Compromise Alliance partners demanded that lawmakers use budget reconciliation to pass the Hearing Protection Act and the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act—fully and without compromise.

The coalition emphasized that reconciliation offers a rare opportunity to repeal the outdated $200 transfer tax on suppressors and short-barreled rifles without triggering the Senate filibuster or violating Byrd Rule restrictions. Read more

FPC Statement on “Horrifically Flawed” DOJ Brief in Machine Gun Ban Prosecution

NEW ORLEANS – Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) responded today to the opening brief filed by the federal government at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of United States v. Brown. In Brown, the government charged the defendant for violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(o). The district court dismissed the charge against Brown earlier this year, holding that the ban violates the Second Amendment as applied to him. The government then appealed to the Fifth Circuit.

The brief, filed today by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi Patrick Lemon, argued that “machineguns are not the kind of arms protected by the Second Amendment,” and that America’s “history of regulating dangerous and unusual weapons confirms [the federal machine gun ban’s] constitutionality.”

Said FPC President Brandon Combs, “Acting U.S. Attorney Lemon’s horrifically flawed brief is unprincipled and an incredible affront to the People and our constitutionally protected rights. Not only does this lemon of a brief expressly advance anti-liberty arguments, it went so far as to cite the radically anti-Second Amendment Everytown propaganda publication, The Trace, in support of its position. This brief could not be less consistent with President Trump’s ‘Protecting Second Amendment Rights’ executive order.”

Combs continued, “This insanely offensive brief should never have been filed in any court, let alone at the Fifth Circuit. It should be immediately withdrawn and thrown into the trash, along with Mr. Lemon’s ability to make these filings in the future. This is a prime example of why President Trump should appoint a competent Second Amendment czar to coordinate the administration’s agenda across the government and with stakeholders in Second Amendment litigation. Our rights must be protected at all costs and the American people are counting on President Trump and Attorney General Bondi to fulfill their promise to do just that.” Read more

SCOTUS Denies Cert in Worth, SAF Win in Eighth Circuit Stands

BELLEVUE, Wash. —— In a case that could potentially have far-reaching implications for similar lawsuits across the nation, the U.S. Supreme Court has denied Minnesota’s Petition for Writ of Certiorari in Jacobson v. Worth, the Second Amendment Foundation’s (SAF) challenge to the 18-20-year-old carry ban in the state.

Minnesota asked the Supreme Court to take the case after SAF was granted an injunction at the district court and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed. The high court’s refusal to hear the case means the Eighth Circuit’s ruling stands as a final judgment, confirming SAF’s win.

“We are encouraged with today’s ruling, that the Supreme Court was happy to let the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision that 18-20-year-olds are part of “the People” who have the right to carry a handgun for self-defense, stand,” said SAF Director of Legal Operations Bill Sack. “This ruling will have reverberations nationwide, where SAF is involved in multiple similar suits, seeking to restore the rights of young adults who face similarly unconstitutional laws in their home states.” Read more

GOA-Backed Bill Passes to Make Tennessee a Firearms Industry Sanctuary Against Anti-Gun Lawsuits

Washington, D.C. — Gun Owners of America (GOA) is proud to announce the successful passage of SB1360/HB073 in the Tennessee General Assembly—legislation aimed at significantly strengthening legal protections for Tennessee-based members of the firearms industry. The bill, which was backed by GOA, passed both chambers with overwhelming majorities on April 15 and now awaits the governor’s signature.

This critical legislation enhances Tennessee’s version of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), creating stronger legal immunity for firearm businesses targeted by the radical anti-gun lobby. It sends a clear message: Tennessee is a safe haven for lawful firearms commerce and won’t be used as a collection arm for unconstitutional out-of-state rulings.

The new bill fortifies the state’s 2023 PLCAA law in multiple ways:

  • Expands legal protections to include additional industry players, including private sellers, suppressor manufacturers, and magazine producers.
  • Prohibits Tennessee courts from recognizing or enforcing out-of-state or foreign court judgments that conflict with Tennessee’s pro-Second Amendment public policy.
  • Penalizes bad-faith litigation by imposing triple damages on out-of-state plaintiffs and their attorneys who attempt to enforce hostile judgments in Tennessee courts—an unprecedented safeguard for gun rights advocates and businesses. Read more

FPC Moves to Permanently End Texas Gun Carry Bans

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that it has filed a motion for summary judgment in its Second Amendment lawsuit challenging laws prohibiting individuals from carrying firearms at certain locations in the State of Texas.

Summary

Texas criminal law bans the carriage of firearms at certain locations, including in any business where alcohol comprises 51% or more of sales (even if the individual is not consuming alcohol); at racetracks; and at sporting events.

Through the case, FPC and our co-plaintiffs are working to have these laws declared unconstitutional and enjoined from enforcement.

What We’re Working to Achieve

The Ziegenfuss case is part of FPC’s high-impact strategic litigation program, FPC Law, aimed at eliminating immoral laws and creating a world of maximal liberty. This case is part of FPC’s work to eliminate unconstitutional locational restrictions throughout the United States.

Through this lawsuit, we are working to achieve:

    • A federal court declaration holding that these laws are unconstitutional.
    • An injunction blocking enforcement of Texas’ carry bans in the above locations.
    • The ability for peaceable people to travel to ordinary public places while armed for self-defense and lawful purposes.

Read more

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