Texas is among several states where longstanding federal restrictions on certain short-barrel firearms and silencers have been lifted, following a federal court order that took effect on Thursday. The Trump administration declined to file an emergency appeal challenging the order, which was issued by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix in Lubbock.

Background on the National Firearms Act

The National Firearms Act, enacted in 1934, required individuals to pay a $200 fee before transferring or making certain firearms, including short-barrel shotguns and rifles, and silencers. However, the One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law by President Donald Trump in July 2025, ended the tax for some categories of firearms. This change led to a lawsuit by firearms trade groups, gun businesses, and a San Angelo gun owner, which was later joined by Texas and 14 other Republican-led states.

On August 5, Judge Hendrix ruled that the regulations under the National Firearms Act could not continue after the tax was revoked, stating that the provisions were unconstitutional. The judge limited the effect of his order to the states that joined the lawsuit and gave the federal government seven days to file an emergency appeal. When the Department of Justice did not appeal, the ruling took effect on Thursday.

Reactions to the Ruling

Gun rights activists and Republican lawmakers have hailed the change as a historic win for the Second Amendment, while gun control groups have expressed concerns that the ruling will leave Americans less safe. The Department of Justice has stated that it respects Americans’ Second Amendment rights and is currently assessing the impact of the court’s ruling.

Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.