Your Gun Rights Just Got Hit – Or Helped – by This Bill

In the world of U.S. politics, few pieces of legislation have stirred up as much debate as House Resolution 1 (HR 1), the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Just days ago, this bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives in a near party-line vote of 218 to 214. With the Senate passing a version of the bill in early July, it now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature. But what does this mean for gun rights? In this article, we’ll explore how HR 1 impacts your rights as a gun owner, featuring insights from experts like William Kirk of Washington Gun Law, Jared Yanis of Guns & Gadgets, and Mark W. Smith from The Four Boxes Diner.

A Quick Overview of HR 1

HR 1, often dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” is a comprehensive piece of legislation that covers everything from tax reform to defense spending. The bill also tackles various issues within the National Firearms Act (NFA), which governs items like suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and other weapons (AOWs). William Kirk, president of Washington Gun Law, took a deep dive into the implications of this bill, particularly in relation to gun rights.

The most significant change for gun owners is the removal of the $200 tax stamp required for NFA items like suppressors. As of 90 days after the President’s signature, the tax on these items will be reduced to zero, which is a major win for gun owners who have long battled against the financial barriers to purchasing NFA-regulated firearms.

What Was Expected vs. What Happened

Before the passage of HR 1, gun rights advocates had high hopes. Many were optimistic that the bill would eliminate the NFA’s restrictions altogether, especially the registration and fingerprinting requirements associated with suppressors and short-barreled firearms. However, as William Kirk notes in his commentary, this expectation fell short. While the bill removes the financial barrier by eliminating the tax, it doesn’t go as far as many had hoped.

“There’s no getting around it,” Kirk says. “This is a small victory, but it’s a victory nonetheless.” While the financial burden has been lifted, the requirement to file forms and register with the government remains. This means that while the tax relief is a welcome change, it is not the complete overhaul that some gun rights supporters were hoping for.

A Step Forward, But Not the Finish Line

Jared Yanis, host of Guns & Gadgets, offers a slightly more critical perspective. He emphasizes that the bill’s passing is a “letdown from Republicans” who had an opportunity to do much more for gun owners. Yanis breaks down the specifics of the bill and points out that while it eliminates the NFA tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and shotguns, it still leaves much of the NFA framework intact.

“The reality is that we were hoping for more,” Yanis says. “Republicans had a chance to dismantle the NFA, and while this bill is a step in the right direction, it’s far from the victory we were looking for.”

Continued Legal Hurdles for Gun Owners

Yanis also highlights the continued legal hurdles gun owners face, including the ongoing requirement for registration, background checks, and other bureaucratic red tape. While these changes may encourage more people to purchase NFA items, the underlying system remains in place, leaving much work to be done.

The Big Picture: Why This Bill Matters

For those looking for a deeper understanding, Mark W. Smith of The Four Boxes Diner suggests that HR 1 represents a “beachhead” in the fight against the NFA. “We’ve won D-Day,” Smith explains, “but now we need to march to Berlin.” Smith points out that the bill is a significant blow to the NFA, even though it didn’t eliminate all of its provisions. By removing the tax burden, HR 1 has made NFA items more accessible, and this could pave the way for further changes in the future.

Building Momentum

Smith is optimistic that, over time, this move will be followed by legal challenges to the NFA’s registration and fingerprinting requirements. With the tax stamp gone, there is now less of a legal justification for the other regulatory measures that gun owners face. Smith believes that gun rights advocates can leverage this new development to build momentum for future litigation that could potentially lead to the full dismantling of the NFA.

The Republicans’ Role in the Bill

It’s important to acknowledge the political context behind HR 1. As Smith points out, the passage of this bill is not just a victory for gun owners, but also a major win for the Republican Party and the Trump administration. HR 1 extends the 2017 tax cuts that were set to expire, which could help keep the economy stable leading up to the 2026 midterms. This economic stability is crucial for preserving Second Amendment rights, as Smith argues that economic turmoil often leads to a shift in political power that could negatively impact gun rights.

While Smith praises the bill for its economic provisions, he also notes the frustration felt by many gun rights advocates due to the lack of more sweeping reforms. The decision not to completely remove NFA regulations, he says, is a missed opportunity for Republicans to solidify their support among gun owners. “The reality is we are better off today than we were yesterday, but there’s still much work to do,” Smith concludes.

Gun Owners of America and Future Litigation

One of the most interesting developments following the passage of HR 1 is the announcement from Gun Owners of America (GOA) that they will file a lawsuit to challenge the remaining provisions of the NFA. As Yanis reports, GOA is determined to dismantle the NFA entirely by focusing on the registration requirements that still exist for NFA items.

“We believe that the constitutional justification for the NFA has been eroded now that the tax has been removed,” says Yanis. “It’s only a matter of time before the courts take a closer look at this and strike down the remaining provisions of the NFA.”

A Critical Step

This legal battle is likely to continue for some time, but as Smith notes, the removal of the tax on NFA items is a critical step toward eventually dismantling the entire framework. By challenging the remaining registration requirements, gun rights organizations like GOA and others hope to build on this victory and make further strides toward restoring the Second Amendment.

The Role of the Courts in the Future of the NFA

The question remains: Will the courts support the push to dismantle the NFA? Both Yanis and Smith believe that the removal of the tax on NFA items presents a strong case for future legal challenges. “The NFA was upheld in the 1930s as a tax law, not as a regulatory law,” Smith explains. “With the tax removed, the constitutional justification for the NFA no longer holds up.”

This argument is crucial, as it lays the groundwork for the legal battles to come. If the courts agree that the NFA’s tax provision was its sole constitutional justification, the removal of that tax could open the door for a full-scale legal assault on the NFA’s registration and licensing requirements.

A Legal Victory, But Not the Final One

Ultimately, while HR 1 represents a small victory for gun owners, it’s clear that the fight is far from over. The removal of the NFA tax is a step in the right direction, but the continued registration and fingerprinting requirements still pose significant barriers to gun ownership. As Smith, Kirk, and Yanis all agree, this bill represents a beachhead, a crucial starting point in the larger battle for Second Amendment rights.

With legal challenges already on the horizon, gun rights advocates will need to remain vigilant and continue pushing for further reforms. The fight for gun rights is ongoing, but the passage of HR 1 has certainly changed the landscape, and it’s up to the courts – and the American people – to determine the future of the NFA.

The Road Ahead for Gun Owners

As we move forward, it’s important for gun owners to stay informed and engaged with the political process. HR 1 may not have delivered everything that gun rights supporters hoped for, but it has created an opportunity for future legal challenges that could lead to even greater victories. With organizations like GOA ready to take action, the battle for the Second Amendment is far from over. Stay tuned as this issue continues to evolve, and remember that every victory, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to securing our rights for future generations.