(WKYT) – A Texas federal court ruling could affect Kentuckians looking to purchase certain regulated weapons, opening the door to blocking portions of the nearly century-old National Firearms Act.
Last year, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, eliminating the longstanding $200 tax required to register regulated weapons. The tax is a component of the National Firearms Act. U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix of the Northern District of Texas has since ruled on August 5 that without that tax, the government’s registration system for specialty items such as silencers and short-barreled rifles is unconstitutional.
Hendrix gave the Justice Department one week to request a stay before his ruling took effect. That deadline passed at midnight Thursday without action from the department.
Advocate raises community safety concerns
While the shift could make it easier for law-abiding gun owners to purchase those items, local anti-violence advocates say freer access could threaten community safety.
Terry Dumphord, founder of The Voyage Movement, said his perspective on community safety comes from personal experience.
“I mean I come from that. I come from the streets. I was raised in that element. I’ve been to prison and I decided to change my life and wanted to change the trajectory of their life,” Dumphord said.
Dumphord said the ruling’s impact will extend beyond Lexington, warning that easier access to these weapons could fuel the illegal street gun trade.
“Lexington sits on two major highways, so it’s flooded with a lot of different things — drugs, guns — so it’s easily accessible. The youth can get a gun easier than they can get a job,” Dumphord said.
Local gun stores await federal guidance
WKYT reached out to several local gun stores. None were available for an on-camera interview, but some addressed the ruling on social media.
Center Target Firearms and Indoor Range in London posted that it is continuing to process all suppressor purchases through the ATF Form 4 as normal, stating it cannot bypass standard regulations until the ATF officially updates its processing guidelines to reflect the injunction.
Appalachian Guns LLC in Johnson County echoed that position, saying it is waiting on guidance and noting there are strong penalties if the process is handled incorrectly.
Justice Department reviewing ruling
In a statement to CBS News, the Justice Department said it is reviewing the ruling. It is unclear whether the department will appeal.
Dumphord said his mission on the streets remains unchanged, continuing to push for funding for education and community programs he believes will save lives.
