Gun Owners of America Is Taking Congress to Court

The fight for the Second Amendment rights of American citizens has just escalated, as Gun Owners of America (GOA) takes Congress to court over the National Firearms Act (NFA). In an announcement that has sent waves through the gun rights community, GOA has pledged to file a lawsuit to remove suppressors and short-barreled firearms from the NFA. Senior Vice President of GOA, Erich Pratt, has outlined this monumental decision and what it means for gun owners across the nation. Alongside him, Jared Yanis of Guns & Gadgets offers additional insights into the lawsuit and the implications of Congress’ failure to act on NFA reform.

GOA’s Bold Legal Move: Aiming to Gut the NFA

Erich Pratt, the Senior Vice President of Gun Owners of America, shared with their followers the major steps the organization is now taking to challenge the National Firearms Act (NFA). In a groundbreaking move, GOA is teaming up with several key allies, including the Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition, Palmetto State Armory, Silencer Shop, and B&T USA, to file a lawsuit against the NFA. Pratt emphasized that the NFA’s tax and registration requirements are unconstitutional and that this lawsuit is the next logical step in the battle to protect gun owners’ rights.

For decades, the NFA has imposed heavy restrictions on gun owners, including taxes and stringent registration requirements for items like suppressors and short-barreled firearms. This legal action is a direct challenge to the foundation of these laws, especially given the recent changes to suppressor and short-barreled firearm taxation under the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

A Changing Landscape for Suppressors and Short-Barreled Firearms

The recent passage of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” has raised the stakes for Second Amendment advocates. According to Pratt, the bill drastically reduced the tax on suppressors and short-barreled firearms, slashing the $200 excise tax to zero. While this was seen as a victory, Pratt makes it clear that it isn’t enough. The bigger issue is the continued requirement for registration under the NFA, which GOA believes is a direct violation of constitutional rights.

Pratt explains that the tax reduction is a small but significant step, as it removes a financial barrier for gun owners. However, the NFA’s registration requirements remain in place. This, he argues, is not the ultimate solution – GOA’s lawsuit will target the very structure of the NFA, seeking to eliminate both the tax and the registration requirements that have long been a point of contention for gun rights advocates.

The Reconciliation Process and What It Means for Gun Owners

In the wake of the passing of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” GOA had hoped for a larger victory. The reconciliation process, which allows the Senate to bypass the filibuster and pass a bill with a simple majority, seemed like a perfect opportunity to gut the NFA. But, as Pratt points out, the process had limitations. He highlights the unfortunate ruling from the Senate parliamentarian, which determined that certain NFA provisions, including the registration requirements, could not be eliminated under the current reconciliation rules.

This ruling has prompted GOA to take matters into their own hands by filing a lawsuit, which Pratt and the organization’s allies hope will lead to the full repeal of the NFA. Pratt acknowledges that although Congress missed the chance to act, the fight is far from over. “The tax stamp reduction is good, but it’s only a half measure. We need to see the registry dismantled as well,” he says.

The Battle in Congress: What Happened to NFA Reform?

Jared Yanis of Guns & Gadgets also weighed in on the frustration gun owners are feeling with Congress’s inaction. Yanis reported that Representative Andrew Clyde attempted to introduce an amendment to address the NFA issue in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” but was met with resistance. Yanis describes how the amendment was ultimately blocked in the rules committee, citing concerns that the parliamentarian might rule against it.

Yanis is particularly critical of the Republican leadership in Congress for not pushing harder for NFA reform. He describes how, despite having the majority in both chambers and control of the White House, the opportunity to fully address the NFA was squandered. “Republicans with control of the House, Senate, and the White House had the power to do more for gun owners, but instead, they let the parliamentarian dictate the outcome,” Yanis said.

The Legal Challenge: What It Means for the Future of the NFA

The new legal challenge filed by GOA is designed to dismantle the unconstitutional provisions of the NFA. As Pratt points out, this is not just a fight over taxes but a broader constitutional issue. The lawsuit will seek to remove both the excise tax and the registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and Any Other Weapons (AOWs) from the NFA.

The key legal argument that GOA will present is that the NFA was always intended as a tax law, not a firearms regulatory law. In fact, as Pratt notes, the NFA was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1937 in Sonzinski v. United States, which justified the law solely on its tax basis. With the tax removed, Pratt argues, the entire foundation of the NFA crumbles.

The Bird Rule: The Barrier to Full NFA Reform

Pratt also pointed out that the Senate parliamentarian’s decision, based on the “Bird Rule,” is a major obstacle to fully repealing the NFA. The Bird Rule restricts what can be included in a reconciliation bill, and the parliamentarian ruled that the NFA changes fell outside the scope of permissible tax-related amendments.

Yanis shares similar concerns, noting that the ruling by the parliamentarian was a major setback for gun rights advocates. “The Bird Rule was used to prevent meaningful reform, and now, GOA will have to take this to court,” Yanis said. Both he and Pratt agree that the court challenge could be the key to finally dismantling the NFA in its entirety.

GOA’s Strategy: Fighting for Gun Owners

Despite setbacks in Congress, both Pratt and Yanis are optimistic about the legal path forward. Pratt explains that GOA’s lawsuit is a well-thought-out strategy that has been months in the making. “We’re not just fighting for a small tax reduction; we’re fighting for the complete repeal of the NFA’s unconstitutional provisions,” Pratt said.

Yanis echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that GOA’s persistence in pushing for full NFA reform has laid the groundwork for future legal victories. “Even though we didn’t get everything we wanted in Congress, GOA is ready to fight this battle in the courts. This lawsuit will be the next step in that fight,” Yanis said.

The Public’s Role in the Fight

GOA’s legal fight is only possible because of the support from gun owners across the nation. Pratt takes a moment to thank the GOA members who have been active in advocating for NFA reform, stating that their efforts have played a critical role in pushing the organization to file the lawsuit. “Your support, your activism, and your phone calls have made all the difference,” Pratt says.

Yanis, too, encourages gun owners to continue supporting GOA’s efforts. “It’s up to us, the gun owners, to continue this fight,” he says. “GOA has shown us that they’re not backing down. Now it’s our turn to keep the pressure on.”

The Road Ahead: What’s Next for the Lawsuit

As GOA prepares to file its lawsuit, both Pratt and Yanis are keenly aware of the challenges ahead. The legal process could take months, if not years, to resolve. But with the tax on suppressors and short-barreled firearms reduced to zero, Pratt believes that the courts will be more inclined to listen to their arguments.

For now, GOA’s focus is on building a strong case to challenge the NFA’s registration requirements. Both Pratt and Yanis believe that the ultimate goal, dismantling the NFA, can still be achieved through this legal battle.

A Small Victory, But a Victory Nonetheless

While the full repeal of the NFA may not have been achieved in the latest legislative process, both Pratt and Yanis agree that this fight is far from over. The reduction in the tax on NFA items is a significant first step, but the real victory will come when the registration requirements are fully eliminated.

For now, gun owners have reason to remain hopeful. GOA’s lawsuit represents a crucial opportunity to achieve the full repeal of the NFA, and with continued support from the public, the dream of a truly free Second Amendment may one day become a reality.

Standing Strong for the Second Amendment

In the face of legislative challenges and setbacks, Gun Owners of America continues to lead the charge for Second Amendment rights. As Erich Pratt and Jared Yanis have made clear, GOA’s lawsuit is just the beginning of a broader legal fight that will ultimately determine the future of gun rights in America. Gun owners across the nation must stand united and continue to support GOA as they take the battle to court, pushing for the full dismantling of the NFA and a future where Second Amendment rights are truly protected.