DOJ Takes Aim at DC’s Suppressor Ban

If you follow suppressor policy, May was one of those months where it felt like somebody hit fast-forward.

According to the latest update from the American Suppressor Association, suppressor owners saw movement on multiple fronts, including a new challenge to Washington D.C.’s suppressor ban, a major court date in a National Firearms Act lawsuit, proposed ATF reforms, and even a possible suppressor sales tax holiday in Florida.

Let’s start with the biggest headline.

ASA says the United States Department of Justice amended its position in United States v. District of Columbia to include a challenge to the District’s ban on suppressors.

That’s a significant development.

For years, gun-rights groups have argued suppressors are protected by the Second Amendment and should not be treated differently than other commonly owned firearm accessories.

ASA noted that it previously filed suppressor-ban challenges in Illinois and New Jersey. Now, the federal government appears willing to take a similar position against D.C.’s prohibition.

In short, what used to be a niche legal argument is rapidly becoming a mainstream constitutional fight.

The first oral arguments in Brown v. ATF are scheduled for June 18 in the Eastern District of Missouri.

The lawsuit is backed by ASA along with the National Rifle Association, Second Amendment Foundation, and Firearms Policy Coalition.

The case challenges remaining NFA restrictions after Congress eliminated the $200 transfer tax on suppressors, short-barreled firearms, and AOWs last year.

Translation: the tax fight may be over, but the larger NFA fight is still very much alive.

ASA also highlighted a package of 34 proposed ATF reforms signed by Director Rob Saka. The proposals include changes affecting interstate transportation of NFA items, joint possession by married couples, old 4473 record retention, and the pistol brace rule.

The proposals are now in the public comment phase.

And then there’s Florida.

Lawmakers are considering what ASA says would be the nation’s first suppressor sales tax holiday, exempting suppressors from state sales tax from September through December if approved.

That’s a concept that would have sounded pretty far-fetched a few years ago. Today, it’s being debated in one of the country’s largest firearms markets.

Whether every one of these efforts succeeds remains to be seen. As always, stay tuned for updates.

*** Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica! ***