Gun Owners of America (GOA) Executive Director Erich Pratt recently sat down with Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky to discuss a bold legislative goal: abolishing key parts of the National Firearms Act (NFA). As shown in GOA’s latest video, the two talked about suppressor deregulation, age-based firearm restrictions, and the overall state of Second Amendment rights in America. It wasn’t just a conversation – it was a battle plan.
Restoring Rights for Young Americans
One of the first points discussed was H.R. 1643, also called the Safer Voter Act, a bill Rep. Massie introduced to align the age of legal handgun purchases with the age of voting. As Massie explained, it’s absurd that an 18-year-old can serve in the military, register for the draft, or vote for a president – but still can’t buy a handgun from a federally licensed dealer.
Massie pointed out that this creates a bizarre situation: “You can serve your country overseas, but your wife at home can’t even buy a handgun to protect herself.” According to Massie, this bill is about fairness and restoring full citizenship rights at the age when Americans are asked to defend the nation.
A Patchwork of Contradictions
Erich Pratt applauded the bill and noted that at the state level, progress has been uneven. GOA scored a legal win in Virginia where they challenged universal background check laws for young adults. The court allowed 18-to-20-year-olds to purchase handguns without extra hurdles, but victories like that are limited in scope and don’t apply nationwide.
That’s why, as Pratt emphasized, it’s critical that Congress step in and create a clear, national standard for young adults’ gun rights. Leaving these decisions to states or judges invites chaos and confusion – something the Constitution was designed to prevent.
Targeting the National Firearms Act
The bigger fight, though, is against the NFA itself. First passed in 1934, the NFA places heavy regulations and taxes on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and other firearms accessories. Massie made his position clear: “There is no nexus anymore. They used the tax excuse to regulate back then. But if there’s no tax, why are we still regulating?”
His frustration was obvious. As he put it, the very foundation of the NFA was shaky from the beginning. It relied on taxation to justify regulation. Now, almost a century later, it’s a bloated and outdated law that treats hearing protection devices like weapons of war.
The Suppressor Double Standard
Massie shared a personal story to highlight the absurdity of American suppressor laws. While hunting in South Africa, he noticed that every rifle had a suppressor. “Even though their gun laws are more stringent than ours, there are no suppressor laws,” he said. “It’s considered rude not to use one.”
This isn’t just a comfort issue – it’s a health issue. Suppressors protect hearing, reduce noise pollution, and improve safety. Yet in the U.S., they’re treated as NFA items requiring a $200 tax and months of bureaucratic red tape. “We just need to catch up to the rest of the world,” Massie said.
Pistol Braces and Misunderstood Devices
Massie also took aim at ATF overreach, particularly regarding pistol braces. He recounted a congressional hearing where Rep. David Cicilline wrongly claimed that a stabilizing brace turned a firearm into a bump stock. Massie calmly corrected the record, pointing out that the brace is used by disabled shooters and has nothing to do with automatic fire.
To emphasize his opposition, Massie even placed a pistol brace on his desk, daring authorities to enforce the ban. “Nobody’s come to arrest me yet,” he joked. But his message was serious – civil disobedience and legal challenges are both necessary tools in the fight against arbitrary gun restrictions.
Fighting the Short-Barreled Rifle Rules
Another bizarre part of the NFA is its treatment of short-barreled rifles (SBRs). Massie pointed out the logic gap: why does the length of a barrel change whether a rifle is treated like a regular firearm or a tightly controlled item?
“It doesn’t make it more lethal,” he argued. “It doesn’t increase velocity. It’s just always been a ridiculous patchwork.” GOA and other gun rights groups are pushing for SBRs to be removed from the NFA entirely. Massie hinted that provisions to do so may be included in what he calls “the big beautiful bill.”
Non-Compliance as a Legal Strategy
Massie also touched on the legal importance of standing in court. He referenced Dick Heller, the namesake of the landmark Heller Supreme Court case, who had to first be denied a permit before he could sue. That’s why, Massie said, sometimes public non-compliance is necessary. People need to be willing to test these laws so they can be challenged in court.
This comment might seem controversial, but it underscores a key legal point: courts don’t decide theoretical cases. Someone has to take a risk and challenge the system for change to happen.
Encouraging Gun Owners to Stay Engaged
When asked what message he would give to gun owners who feel burned out by politics, Massie didn’t hesitate. “Stay in the fight,” he said. He acknowledged that change is slow and frustrating but insisted that GOA and other advocates are making a difference, especially through member engagement.
He shared a story about being on the House floor when a fellow lawmaker turned and asked him, “How many phone calls did you get on this issue?” That moment shows how phone calls and emails from constituents can sway votes. “In my office, we might only get three calls a day,” Massie said. “That means your voice really matters.”
The Numbers Speak Loudly
Pratt added that GOA members are “punching above their weight class” in Washington, and Massie agreed. With the right amount of pressure, Congress could not only pass the Safer Voter Act but also tackle national reciprocity, deregulate suppressors, and repeal harmful ATF regulations.
Massie emphasized that with 29 states now having constitutional carry, the momentum is on their side. “We passed national reciprocity out of the Judiciary Committee,” he said. “Now we just need the courage to get it to the floor.”
A Fix Long Overdue
What really struck me in this conversation was how deeply broken the logic behind the NFA is. We’re nearly 100 years into a system where the length of a rifle barrel or the shape of a plastic brace can trigger federal felony charges. That’s not common sense – that’s government overreach hiding behind outdated rules.
Suppressors, SBRs, braces – none of these are inherently dangerous. But because of the NFA, Americans have to jump through hoops just to own what citizens in other countries use as normal tools. And the fact that these rules can be changed with a stroke of a pen, or reversed just as fast, makes it clear how fragile our rights are when they rest on executive orders instead of solid law.
A Path Forward
The fight to abolish the NFA won’t be easy. It’s deeply entrenched in American gun law. But as Erich Pratt and Congressman Thomas Massie made clear, the path forward is simple: keep showing up, keep calling, and keep pushing. Whether it’s through legislation, litigation, or public pressure, the momentum is building.
Gun Owners of America continues to lead the charge, and with champions like Massie in Congress, the message is getting through. “We’re listening to you through GOA,” Massie said – and that’s a message worth repeating.
Ed spent his childhood in the backwoods of Maine, where harsh winters taught him the value of survival skills. With a background in bushcraft and off-grid living, Ed has honed his expertise in fire-making, hunting, and wild foraging. He writes from personal experience, sharing practical tips and hands-on techniques to thrive in any outdoor environment. Whether it’s primitive camping or full-scale survival, Ed’s advice is grounded in real-life challenges.
