Justice Department Eases Gun Registration Rules After Court Ruling

The Justice Department will no longer enforce registration rules for silencers and certain guns after a court ruling. Learn more about the policy change.

Editorial Desk

October 10, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, United States — The U.S. Justice Department announced on Friday that it will no longer enforce federal registration requirements for firearm suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and other specific firearms following a court ruling that deemed the process unconstitutional.

The decision comes after a Texas judge ruled in August that the permitting process for these weapons was unlawful. While the initial ruling was limited to the case at hand, the Justice Department said it would not enforce the registration rules nationwide, effectively removing the burden from most gun buyers.

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Under the new guidance, individuals will no longer need to register these items unless they live in one of approximately 15 states with their own registration laws. The changes aim to streamline the process and avoid confusion across different jurisdictions, according to officials.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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