Trump Directs DOJ Not to Appeal Ruling on ‘Gangster Weapons’ Restrictions

Trump's decision not to appeal a key gun law ruling sparks debate over public safety and legal precedent.

September 18, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump has instructed the Justice Department not to appeal a recent court ruling that significantly weakened restrictions on certain firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA), according to multiple sources.

The decision by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix, a Trump appointee, declared most of the NFA’s regulations on specialized weapons unconstitutional. The ruling came in a case brought by 15 Republican-led states and gun rights groups, including Gun Owners of America, which argued that the law was overly burdensome and lacked constitutional justification.

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The Justice Department had previously considered appealing the decision, but sources indicate that Trump has directed officials not to challenge the ruling. This move contradicts internal concerns from career and political lawyers within the department, who believe the decision undermines federal law enforcement efforts and sets a dangerous precedent for gun regulation.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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