Confusion has ensued after the Justice Department decided to, at least for now, not challenge a federal court ruling that struck down federal registration requirements for firearm suppressors, short-barreled rifles and other weapons.
The August 5 ruling from the US District Court in the Northern District of Texas is being celebrated by some hardline gun rights advocates as a major victory in their goal to gut the 1934 National Firearms Act. Despite not seeking a temporary stay of the ruling by the Wednesday night deadline, the Justice Department still has seven weeks remaining to file an appeal.
For now, who exactly is covered by the Texas court ruling appears murky, in part because the judge said it was limited to those who brought the legal challenge, including Gun Owners of America, which has members around the country. The judge said his order blocking the registration requirements applies to “plaintiffs and certain other individuals and entities that are closely associated with the plaintiffs,” adding that it covers “future customers” of the sellers associated with a gun rights group that helped bring the legal challenge.
“This is a confused mess,” one gun-rights advocate told CNN, describing how some gun owners are seeking clarity about whether they can lawfully buy suppressors without registration and can’t find any information from the government about where they stand legally. “It’s utter chaos about what to do or what not to do.”
