WASHINGTON, DC — ATF’s October 9 open letter identifies the underlying case as Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, No. 6:25-cv-056, in the Northern District of Texas. According to the letter, an August 5 decision enjoined specified NFA provisions effective August 12. The court’s reasoning concerned Congress reducing making and transfer taxes to zero for the covered categories.
The injunction covered the plaintiffs and other people specified in the order. ATF says the department subsequently chose to apply its nonenforcement position more broadly for uniform treatment. That administrative choice is distinct from the scope of the judicial injunction.
ATF Director Rob Cekada said, “The direction from the President, Congress, and the courts is clear.” The agency said its enforcement focus would remain violent crime.
What the agency says continues
The October 9 announcement leaves machine guns and destructive devices subject to the full NFA framework. It also preserves the special occupational taxes applicable to covered firearms businesses.
The Second Amendment Foundation welcomed the development but said litigation seeking a lasting resolution would continue. Its release referred to a related NFA case, Jensen; this article uses ATF’s own letter for the court decision directly underlying the agency’s explanation.
USA Carry also reported the nationwide policy and emphasized the difference between enforcement discretion and repeal. The governing detail is in the official documents, not a shorthand headline suggesting every restriction has disappeared.
Timeline
Legal and safety breakdown
Separate legal layers remain in place
ATF’s FAQ distinguishes its NFA policy from the Gun Control Act, including restrictions involving prohibited persons and dealer recordkeeping and background checks. It also states that state and local laws are unaffected.
| Issue | What ATF’s documents describe |
|---|---|
| Covered zero-tax NFA categories | Specified approval and registration provisions are not being enforced |
| Machine guns and destructive devices | Full NFA requirements remain |
| State and local restrictions | Remain independently applicable |
| Dealer transactions | Continuing GCA obligations, including records and applicable background checks |
| Interstate movement of short-barreled rifles or shotguns | Separate federal approval requirement remains |
The letter cites 26 U.S.C. § 5845(e) for the AOW category and 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(4) for the continuing transportation issue. ATF also says it will keep processing voluntary NFA registrations. Those distinctions prevent the nationwide announcement from being mistaken for universal permission under every jurisdiction’s laws.
Safety Tip: Keep firearms secured against unauthorized access, and retain current documentation separately from equipment so regulatory changes do not disrupt safe storage or recordkeeping.
