Shotguns are still prohibited in Texas after the judge's order comes into effect.

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After the Trump presidency declined to file an incident charm challenging a federal court order, the roughly century-old national restrictions on some short-barrel weapons and handguns were lifted on Thursday in some states, including Texas.

The change was deemed a historic victory for the Second Amendment, according to gun control advocates who claim that the decision may make Americans less secure.

The National Firearms Act was passed by Congress in 1934 following a number of well-known murders. In an effort to stop these activities, the law mandated that people pay a$ 200 fee before transferring or making certain firearms, in addition to paying registration. However, the One Big Beautiful Bill eliminated the tax on some groups, including handguns, short-barrel rifles, and shotguns, from last year.

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A San Angelo weapons landlord sued to overturn parts of the NFA the same day President Donald Trump signed the bill into law in July 2025. Texas and 14 other Republican-led state joined the lawsuit only over a month later.

U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix in Lubbock ruled on August 5 that the requirements, which were passed under the jurisdiction of politicians to impose taxes, could not continue after the tax was removed.

The judge appointed by Trump declared that the challenged NFA measures are unconstitutional. The accused cannot save the NFA’s regulation system by referring to a strength that Congress never invoked, and Congress’s choice to end the move and making fees matters. Congress, never this Court, should make efforts to constitutionalize the NFA.

Purple restricted the scope of his ruling to the states that backed the lawsuit. Additionally, the judge gave the government seven days to report an incident appeal. The Department of Justice did no, so the decision came into effect on Thursday.

Within 60 time of Hendrix’s ruling, the DOJ has the right to file an appeal, but its strategy is still undetermined.

The DOJ’s speech on Thursday stated that the office “respects Americans ‘ Second Amendment rights and is currently evaluating the impact of the judge’s decision.”

A group of Republicans in Congress, including nine from Texas, urged recently appointed U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche not to contest the court’s decision, which also led to the lack of an emergency charm. They praised the victory on Thursday.

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In a post on X, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, wrote,” The Trump administration has delivered a significant win for the Second Amendment.”

Other people celebrated by purchasing a product after the ruling was implemented at midnight, including state representative Wes Virdell, R-Brady, and Brandon Herrera, a Republican candidate running for the 23rd Congressional District who is known as” The AK Guy.”

In a Thursday article on X, Virdell wrote,” Last night was an incredible experience to be a part of history in the making.”

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Short-barrel rifles and shotguns are potent weapons that have been used in mass shootings, according to gun control organizations, and handguns can make it difficult for bystanders and law enforcement to determine when and where a gun has been fired.

Our government is currently failing us, Brady President Kris Brown said in a speech. Americans are less healthy today, according to the silencer dealers and the gun industry.

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Aug 13, 2026Hill Country Post

Shotguns are still prohibited in Texas after the judge’s order comes into effect.

Hill Country Post

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