Justice Department drops enforcement of key restrictions under 1934 gun law

The short version

• The Justice Department announced it will halt enforcement of several provisions of the 1934 National Firearms Act.[CBS News]
• The policy change follows an August decision by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix holding most restrictions on specialized firearms unconstitutional after Congress repealed a $200 tax.[CBS News]
• Federal officials confirmed the Justice Department decided last month not to appeal the Texas court ruling.[CBS News]
• ATF Director Rob Cekada said the agency is aligning its enforcement posture with direction from the president, Congress, and the courts.[Associated Press]

Key facts

• The Justice Department announced it will cease enforcing specific provisions of the 1934 National Firearms Act.[CBS News]
• U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix ruled in August that most restrictions on specialized firearms under the act became unconstitutional once Congress eliminated an associated $200 tax.[CBS News]
• The Justice Department determined last month that it would not appeal Judge Hendrix's ruling.[CBS News]
• ATF Director Rob Cekada said the agency changed its enforcement posture in response to clear guidance from the president, Congress, and the judiciary.[Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• DOJ won't enforce parts of 1934 gun law that were gutted by court rulingCBS News - US
• Justice Department won’t enforce registration rules on silencers and certain guns after court rulingAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press