DOJ Halts Enforcement of Key 1934 Firearms Law After Court Ruling
DOJ announces it will no longer enforce parts of the 1934 NFA after court ruled it unconstitutional. Gun rights groups celebrate decision.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, United States — The U.S. Department of Justice has announced it will stop enforcing certain provisions of the 1934 National Firearms Act following a recent federal court ruling that deemed large sections of the law unconstitutional.
The decision by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives affects requirements for individuals to obtain approval before making or transferring specific types of firearms, including short-barreled rifles, shotguns, suppressors, and other concealable weapons. The Justice Department has decided not to appeal the ruling, which was issued by a federal judge in Texas.
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The law, originally designed to regulate dangerous weapons used by organized crime during Prohibition, now faces significant legal challenges. While the new guidance does not override state and local laws, it allows for voluntary processing of applications for restricted firearms. The ruling impacts the tax-based regulatory framework of the NFA, which lost its financial basis when Congress removed a $200 fee on certain weapons last year.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
