Swing-State Lawmaker Wants To Remove State’s Red Tape From Suppressors
A Pennsylvania lawmaker wants to adjust the state’s requirements for suppressors and other items covered under the National Firearms Act following a federal court’s decision tossing paperwork and registration requirements.
A Pennsylvania lawmaker wants to adjust the state’s requirements for suppressors and other items covered under the National Firearms Act following a federal court’s decision tossing paperwork and registration requirements.
United States District Judge James Wesley Hendrix of the Northern District of Texas, a Trump appointee, ruled that because taxes on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and other items had been reduced to $0 by legislation signed by President Donald Trump in July 2025, the registration and paperwork imposed by the NFA exceeded Congress’ authority under the taxation power. Republican Pennsylvania state Rep. Rob Kauffman sent a co-sponsorship memo to colleagues asking them to support his measure in response to the ruling.
“Although the court’s injunction is not nationwide, its decision has created significant uncertainty for Pennsylvania residents seeking to lawfully acquire or possess these items. Pennsylvania, like several other states, independently regulates certain firearms and related items as ‘prohibited offensive weapons’ under Title 18,” Kauffman wrote. “At the same time, current Pennsylvania law provides an affirmative defense when an individual can establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they complied with applicable NFA requirements.”
“Consequently, the availability of a defense under Pennsylvania law may depend upon compliance with federal requirements that a court has now declared unconstitutional and enjoined from enforcement against certain individuals,” Kauffman continued.
Republican Georgia Rep. Andrew Clyde posted on X August 12 that the Trump administration confirmed it would not appeal the ruling by Hendrix. Kauffman said it was important to address potential “uncertainty” in the state’s laws.
“Pennsylvania’s laws governing the exercise of a fundamental right should be clear, consistent, and readily understood,” Kauffman wrote. “Law-abiding residents should not face potential criminal liability under Pennsylvania law because of uncertainty surrounding federal requirements that may no longer be enforceable against them. This legislation will clarify the interaction between Pennsylvania law and the NFA and ensure that Commonwealth residents are not required, as a condition of lawful possession under State law, to comply with federal requirements that have been declared unconstitutional or otherwise unenforceable.”
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