For nearly a century, the National Firearms Act (NFA) has placed heavy restrictions on certain types of firearms and accessories, treating items like suppressors and short-barreled rifles as if they were a public menace. But in a dramatic turn, Congress is now on the verge of dismantling major parts of that law. Thanks to coordinated action from lawmakers and Second Amendment advocates, what started as a push to remove suppressors has snowballed into a broader effort to gut nearly two-thirds of the NFA – and it’s all happening through one bill everyone seems to be talking about now: the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
House Makes the First Move: Suppressors Removed
Attorney Mark W. Smith, speaking on The Four Boxes Diner, kicked off the excitement with a reminder that the House already passed the first version of what’s now being dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill.” In its original form, the bill used budget reconciliation rules to remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA). Smith explained that because the NFA is a tax law, suppressors could be cut from its requirements without violating reconciliation rules. The key detail? Suppressors carry a $200 tax stamp and registration requirement, which the bill would eliminate entirely.
Senate Goes Bigger: SBRs and SBSs Now Included
But the House version was just the beginning. The U.S. Senate Finance Committee, according to Smith, took things a step further. In their revised version of the bill, the committee included language that would not only remove suppressors but also short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) from the NFA. This addition essentially folds in the language from the SHUSH Act and the SHORT Act, both long-time goals of the gun rights community.
Why It’s Legal: The NFA Is a Tax Law
Smith made it clear that this strategy relies on decades of legal precedent. The NFA has been considered a tax statute ever since the Supreme Court’s 1937 decision in Sonzinsky v. United States. That precedent still stands, and it was reaffirmed in the 2012 NFIB v. Sebelius (Obamacare) decision. Because of this, Smith emphasized that removing items from the NFA is fully compliant with reconciliation rules, so long as it’s tied to tax policy.
Braden Langley: This Is a “Sea Change Moment”
Over on Langley Outdoors Academy, host Braden Langley took a more emotional tone. Calling the bill “one of the most consequential things” he’s seen in over a decade of 2A advocacy, Langley highlighted the massive momentum building behind the effort. He pointed out that gun rights groups across the spectrum, GOA, NRA, NAGR, American Suppressor Association, and more, are unified like never before.
The Black Pill Mentality Is Fading
Langley also spoke directly to the skeptics. He addressed the so-called “black pill” crowd – gun owners who’ve grown apathetic and believe that government will never give rights back. “This time is different,” Langley said. “We are unified, energized, and closer than ever to real change.” His message: the fight isn’t over, but the finish line is in sight.
GOA Clears Up the Confusion
Ben Sanderson of Gun Owners of America (GOA) took a more technical approach. On the “Minute Man Moment,” he tackled common questions about how the bill works and what changes gun owners can expect. According to Sanderson, if the bill passes, suppressors and short-barreled firearms would be treated like regular guns under the 1968 Gun Control Act. That means no $200 tax, no fingerprinting, no registration – just a standard background check and a Form 4473.
What About State Laws?
One big question is what happens in states where suppressors, SBRs, or SBSs are banned unless they’re federally registered. Sanderson clarified that state bans wouldn’t automatically go away, since the bill doesn’t preempt state law. However, he noted that removing these items from the NFA helps create a stronger legal foundation for future lawsuits. “Without the federal tax angle,” he said, “we have a clearer path to challenging those bans in court.”
Constitutional Implications Down the Road
Smith raised a fascinating point: even if a future Congress tried to reinstate these regulations, they might run into serious constitutional problems. Once millions of these items are in circulation, it will be nearly impossible to argue they’re “dangerous and unusual” – a key test from Heller for banning firearms. Smith added, “You’re going to run into the brick wall of the Second Amendment.”
The Numbers Are on the 2A Side
Langley also emphasized a demographic shift that gives the movement staying power. Gun ownership is surging among younger generations. More young people are pro-Second Amendment than ever before, and Langley believes this will lock in a cultural change that makes it harder for future politicians to reverse course. “The next generation is coming up more conservative on gun rights,” he said. “That’s a game changer.”
Reconciliation: A Clever Workaround
What makes this bill even more fascinating is how it’s being passed. As all three voices explained, budget reconciliation lets Congress bypass the filibuster. This means the bill only needs a simple majority in the Senate – no 60-vote threshold. That alone is a tactical win for gun rights advocates. Smith called it “the first real chance in 91 years” to gut a major chunk of the NFA.
GOA’s Role Behind the Scenes
According to Sanderson, GOA played a huge part in shaping the language of the bill. Their federal affairs team worked for months to master reconciliation rules and even trained other gun rights organizations on the process. They’re still working with Senate leaders to tighten up the language and defend it against procedural challenges under the Byrd Rule.
This Is Bigger Than It Seems
What really stands out here isn’t just the policy, though that’s huge. It’s the strategy and the spirit behind it. For once, gun rights groups are playing offense, not defense. They’ve figured out how to use the system’s own rules to chip away at one of the oldest anti-gun laws on the books. That’s not just clever – it’s historic. And whether or not you’re a political junkie, watching this unfold is proof that a unified front can actually bend the arc of legislation.
Don’t Count the Chickens Yet
Still, it’s not over. Every voice, Smith, Langley, and Sanderson, warns that there’s time for the bill to be weakened, delayed, or sabotaged. The message to supporters? Keep calling your senators. Keep the pressure high. Because if this thing crosses the finish line, we’re not just undoing a bad law – we’re changing the direction of the Second Amendment fight for good.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.