Fed. Judge Rules ATF Registration
Requirements on SBRs, Suppressors Unconstitutional

A U.S. District Court judge in Texas has ruled the lingering registration requirement on suppressors and short-barreled rifles (SBRs), a year after Congress eliminated the $200 tax used to justify the registry, is unconstitutional, handing a victory to gun rights advocates including the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

The 66-page ruling was handed down Wednesday by Judge James Wesley Hendrix, a 2019 Donald Trump appointee on the District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The case is known as Jensen v. ATF and was consolidated with another case.

Joining CCRKBA in the case are the FPC Action Foundation, Texas Rifle Association, Hot Shots Custom and three individuals. Judge Hendrix's ruling applies to the plaintiffs in Jensen v. ATF, which includes CCRKBA and its members, and those in the other case which was consolidated with Jensen.

"We are delighted with the ruling from Judge Hendrix," said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. "With the tax no longer in existence, there was no logical reason for the ATF's registration requirement to continue. With this victory setting a precedent, we anticipate success in the other cases involving our sister organization, SAF. …