Trump Tells DOJ Not To Appeal Ruling Easing National Firearms Act Limits
President Donald Trump ordered the Justice Department not to appeal a federal judge's ruling that eased most National Firearms Act restrictions, a move that could broaden access to certain weapons nationwide.[1]
Trump has told some Republican lawmakers he will ensure the Justice Department does not contest the decision, according to people briefed on the matter.[1] Some Justice Department career and political lawyers opposed the directive, warning it undermines the department's duty to defend acts of Congress and is already affecting firearms prosecutions nationwide.[1]
In August 2026, Judge James Wesley Hendrix ruled most National Firearms Act restrictions on several specialized firearms unconstitutional and issued an injunction effective August 13, 2026.[1] His ruling covers 15 Republican-led states and members of plaintiff gun-rights groups and it eases federal controls on short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and silencers while leaving machine-gun rules intact.[1]
The Justice Department's deadline to appeal is October 5, 2026, and the decision has already prompted concern about how federal gun prosecutions will proceed.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- In August 2026, Judge James Wesley Hendrix ruled most National Firearms Act restrictions on several specialized firearms are unconstitutional, with an injunction effective August 13, 2026.
- CBS reports President Trump has ordered the Justice Department not to appeal Hendrix’s ruling and has told some Republican lawmakers he will ensure DOJ does not contest it.
- Some DOJ career and political lawyers opposed that decision, warning it undermines the department’s duty to defend acts of Congress and is already affecting firearms prosecutions nationwide.
- The ruling covers 15 red states and members of plaintiff gun-rights groups, easing federal controls on certain short‑barreled rifles, short‑barreled shotguns and silencers while leaving machine‑gun rules intact.
- The Justice Department’s deadline to appeal the decision is October 5, 2026.
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