This past week, there’s been a lot of talk about a major legislative push that could significantly change how certain firearms are regulated. The focus is on a bill that aims to remove suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and any other weapons (AOWs) from the National Firearms Act (NFA). This is a big deal for gun owners, and it’s all thanks to a collaborative effort between advocacy groups and lawmakers.
Key Takeaways
- Suppressors have been successfully removed from the NFA.
- There’s a strong push to include short-barreled firearms (SBRs, SBSs) in the same bill.
- The "Big Beautiful Bill" (HR1) is the vehicle for these changes.
- The Senate vote is expected soon, and it will likely be very close.
- Continued public pressure on Senators is vital to get this passed.
The Push to Defang the NFA
Gun Owners of America (GOA) has been working hard to get these items out from under the NFA’s "unconstitutional taxation and registration scheme." They recently met with Senator Steve Daines of Montana to discuss the progress. The effort in the House was intense, with reports of phones ringing off the hook and lawmakers hearing the message loud and clear. While suppressors have already been taken care of, the fight continues for short-barreled firearms.
Making the "Big Beautiful Bill" More Beautiful
Senator Daines explained that the "Big Beautiful Bill," as the president called it, is the current focus. When the suppressor part of the bill came to the Senate, it was missing the provisions for short-barreled firearms. Senator Daines and others acted quickly to get that language reinserted. He stated, "We’re going to make it a little more beautiful by getting the short provision into the bill." As of this conversation, the short-barreled firearm provision is indeed included in the bill. However, he stressed that this is not the time to relax; it’s the time to "double down."
Why This Matters
Senator Daines emphasized that the Second Amendment is clear: "shall not be infringed." He argued that taxing these types of firearms is a direct infringement on those rights. He personally uses suppressors on his rifles and sees the benefit. Now, the focus is on fixing the issue with short-barreled firearms. He mentioned having cans on all his rifles and wanting to fix the "short piece." The bill is currently in the Senate, with a vote expected on the Senate floor in a couple of weeks. He urged everyone to maintain the "full court press."
What You Can Do
Senator Daines and Eric Pratt from GOA urged listeners to keep the pressure on. This means continuing to call and email lawmakers, especially Senators, as the bill is currently in the Senate. The margin for passage is expected to be very slim, possibly only one or two votes. If the bill passes the Senate with the short-barreled firearm provision, it will then go back to the House for another vote. Pratt encouraged everyone to take action, stating, "We are close to being across the finish line."
Call your Senator and urge them to support the inclusion of the short-barreled firearm provisions in HR1. Your voice matters in this critical moment.
Lance Rankin has owned Western Sport since 2017. Lance is a gunsmith that specializes in AR15 and AR10 platforms.