Buckeye Firearms Association

USDA announces $52M to boost public access to private lands for hunting, fishing

SHummel — Fri, 08 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

From U.S. Department of Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing $52 million to help state and tribal governments encourage private landowners to allow public access to their land for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-dependent recreation through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications through June 8, 2026, at Grants.gov for this program that benefits landowners and the public.

“The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program is a critical source of funding for increasing public access to private lands for hunting and fishing while also supporting farmers and contributing to habitat conservation efforts,” said NRCS Chief Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt. “This program is about opportunities for landowners and the public.”

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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) restored funding for the VPA-HIP [which funds the Ohio Landowner/Hunter Access Partnership (OLHAP) Program]. OBBBA strengthens the ability of NRCS to support farmers, ranchers, and partners in tackling conservation challenges at the landscape scale.

States and tribal governments may apply to use VPA-HIP grant funding to create new or expand existing public access programs or provide incentives to improve habitat on land enrolled in their public access programs.

For example, through previous awards:

Arizona Fish and Game Department opened 4.8 million acres of private and land-locked public lands in Arizona for public use.
Missouri Department of Conservation enrolled 30,000 acres into the Missouri Outdoor Recreation Access Program to increase and enhance wildlife habitat for small game and other wildlife species on private land in the state.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife offered 75,000 acres to the public for hunting wild turkey, pheasant and big game, at no cost to the user. These acres are spread over six large counties.

VPA-HIP is a competitive grants program available to state and tribal governments. Projects may last up to three years. Projects could receive up to $3 million, and project sponsors may use up to 25% of funds to provide incentives to landowners to improve wildlife habitat on enrolled public-access program lands.

See the notice at Grants.gov for information on how to apply. For more information on VPA-HIP, visit the NRCS website.

90% of BFA PAC-endorsed candidates win in 2026 primary election

drieck — Thu, 07 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

by Dean Rieck

BFA PAC-endorsed candidates turned in a strong performance in Ohio's 2026 primary election on May 5. See the winners here.

In a contested Republican gubernatorial race, A+ rated Vivek Ramaswamy won a commanding 82.5% of the vote. This sets up a battle between Ramaswamy and Democratic nominee Amy Acton for the Governor's mansion. While Acton is running a disciplined campaign with no overt statements about gun control, we can certainly read between the lines when she talks about gun violence as a public health issue. It will be important for all gun owners concerned about the Second Amendment to vote for Vivek Ramaswamy in the general election if we want any pro-gun bills signed into law.

In other statewide races, Keith Faber won unopposed for Attorney General, Robert Sprague won against a challenger for Secretary of State, Jay Edwards took home the win for Treasurer, and Frank LaRose won unopposed for Auditor.

In the contests for open Justice seats on the Ohio Supreme Court, Andrew King lost to Colleen O'Donnell, but Dan Hawkins won unopposed. Although we are a nonpartisan organization, I'll say that it is crucial for Republicans to hold on to their control of the court to ensure that Second Amendment cases will be decided based on the Constitution and the law, rather than on personal opinion and a notion that our Constitution is a "living document" open for reinterpretation based on current events. Republicans now hold a 6-1 majority.

In federal races, A-rated Jon Husted became the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate while F-rated Sherrod Brown won the Democratic primary. This tees up what many pundits expect to become an expensive and ultra high-profile race in November’s midterm elections that could determine control of the Senate, depending on other races.

In the races for U.S. House, all but one BFA PAC-endorsed candidates won, including Jim Jordan and Mike Carey.

For Ohio, our key concern is always state legislative races, because this is the gauntlet bills must run if they are to land on the governor's desk to be signed into law. We saw many victories in both chambers and will continue to support those who support our bills.

BFA PAC played a key roll in all these victories, grading and endorsing in races across the state, consulting with campaigns at all levels, and running "get out the vote" campaigns targeted to specific districts in key races.

We'll continue our work leading up to the 2026 general election on November 3. And BFA PAC will once again grade and endorse candidates to help you decide at the ballot box.

In the meantime, please support BFA with a generous donation or paid membership. It is only with your support that we're able to fight for your Second Amendment rights in the Buckeye State.

Dean Rieck is Executive Director of Buckeye Firearms Association, a former competitive shooter, NRA Patron Member, former #1 NRA Recruiter, and host of the Keep and Bear Radio podcast.

CNN using assassination attempt at WHCA dinner to push gun control

SHummel — Wed, 06 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

by Lee Williams

Just minutes after the third attempt to kill President Donald J. Trump, in addition to senior members of his staff, CNN Idiot-in-Chief Brian Stelter was calling for more gun control.

“As CNN anchor Victor Blackwell put it when I joined him on air this morning, ‘The people in that room were confronted with what schoolchildren and moviegoers and congregants and people at grocery stores have been confronted with, and that is the threat of gun violence.’” Stelter wrote about the incident at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in an analysis piece titled “An extraordinary moment for America’s media elite is all too ordinary in America.”

Ah, the poor media elite felt confronted. Really? The bad guy didn’t even enter their room. Many media elites never even heard any gunshots.

Stelter quoted another CNN hack, Jim Sciutto, whose comments you can probably already imagine.

“One thing we know is that there will be a lot of discussion afterwards about security measures. (A discussion about) rhetoric, perhaps, as well. There won’t be any substantive discussion about access to weapons, right? There just won’t,” Sciutto reportedly said.

Aug. 22 in Hilliard: Register now for the 2026 Patriot Fest

Stelter cited his own reply in his column.

“I told him that Americans skip that part of the conversation, and then the rest of the world looks at us and thinks we’re crazy,” he said.

The suspect hadn’t even been booked yet, much less made his first court appearance, but Stelter was calling for more gun control, and we’re crazy?

Stelter, who is only 40, cohosted CNN’s “Reliable Sources” for nearly 10 years until it was cancelled in 2022 because its ratings were abysmal. Stelter wasn’t pleased to be unemployed, but he defended his role at the highly partisan show.

“It’s not partisan to stand up for decency and democracy and dialogue,” he reportedly said in defiance.

Sure.

CNN brought Stelter back in 2024, but only part time. His role was extremely reduced. He wrote a newsletter for CNN’s website and appeared on air occasionally, but he no longer hosted his own show. He had no show to host.

Nowadays CNN is dying. Its ratings are terrible. According to Adweek, in March Fox News had almost 3 million primetime viewers while CNN only managed 898,000 total viewers, and their ratings actually increased because of the war.

CNN didn’t have one show in the Top 15 news programs. Fox News had 13 and MS NOW had two.

Evidently, this didn’t bother Stelter, who used the assassination attempt to increase his own personal ratings. Just minutes after the suspect had been hauled away, Stelter appeared on dozens of websites and social media accounts, not saying much of substance since he didn’t see anything, but blasting guns and our gun rights.

Stelter joined the media right after college. In other words, he’s never done much of anything substantive. I doubt he’s ever even fired a gun. I doubt he knows the difference between an AR and an AK. So, how does he disparage our Second Amendment rights? The answer is simple. He works for CNN.

Every single time CNN covers a gun-related issue it fails. Remember their graphic of what they claimed was a bump stock?

Every gun-related story the network produces has a simple overall message: Guns are bad and must all be banned.

That’s how rubes like Stelter keep their small roles at the network. If he keeps telling his dwindling viewers that guns are bad, he’ll keep his job.

Lee Williams is chief editor of the Second Amendment Foundation's Investigative Journalism Project. Republished with permission.

Still armed, still free - citizen militia endures as Founders intended

SHummel — Tue, 05 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

by Sean Maloney, for AmmoLand

In Wolford v. Lopez (No. 241046), the U.S. Supreme Court granted review (hear audio) of whether Hawaii may presumptively prohibit licensed concealed carry holders from carrying firearms on private property that is open to the public absent express permission from the owner — a rule critics call the “vampire rule.”

As Americans await the court’s decision, one fact is undeniable: The modern American militia is not theoretical — it is vast, practical, and alive.

Numbers are unmistakable

Conservative estimates place civilian-owned firearms in the United States at roughly 500 million — more guns than people — based on manufacturing and import data compiled by industry and federal reporting agencies. Industry analysis from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) shows that 491 million firearms were in civilian hands from 1990–2022, and this number has almost certainly grown to well over 500 million today, consistent with the estimates cited earlier in this article.

Also from Sean Maloney: How to handle a traffic stop with firearms in your vehicle

While comprehensive annual ammunition figures aren’t consolidated in a single federal database, reporting from the firearms industry indicates that U.S. ammunition production is measured in the billions of rounds each year — with past estimates showing as many as 8.1 billion rounds produced for the U.S. market in a single year. When accumulated over decades of lawful purchase and storage, civilian stockpiles of ammunition likely exceed one trillion rounds, reflecting the scale and preparedness of America’s private, law-abiding gun owners.

These are not numbers of idle hobbyists. Many Americans do not hunt, nor participate in organized shooting sports, yet continue to purchase and store firearms and ammunition. They do so because it is the fabric of who we are as a free nation. History has taught us from our earliest education that Americans have repeatedly had to fight—for independence from a tyrant king, for freedom across the world during WWII, and for the ability to pass liberty to future generations. We prepare and maintain our arms not out of fear, but because it is our responsibility as Americans, reflecting a citizen militia that is ever ready to defend the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution.

Citizen militia — not just a concept but a responsibility

Wolford v. Lopez raises a critical question under the Second Amendment and the court’s Bruen decision framework: can a state effectively nullify the right to public carry by making “no guns” the default on private property open to the public unless invited?

The court heard oral arguments on January 20, 2026, and the transcript is publicly available from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Founders’ vision of an armed citizenry

The framers spoke repeatedly about an armed citizenry as essential to liberty:

George Mason: “To disarm the people … [is] the best and most effectual way to enslave them.”
James Madison: “The advantage of being armed … forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition.”
Thomas Jefferson: “No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.”
George Washington: “A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined …”
Richard Henry Lee: “To preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms …”
Samuel Adams: “Peaceable citizens [must not] be prevented from keeping their own arms.”

These historical voices remind us that an armed citizenry was essential to liberty, not optional.

Why this matters today

In an era of terrorism, violent crime, and emergencies, law enforcement cannot be everywhere. Seconds matter. A prepared citizen can protect families and communities when official responders are not immediately available.

“Freedom survives only in the hands of the prepared. The citizen militia envisioned by our Founders still lives.”

America’s 250th anniversary: a time to reflect and defend

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Founders’ vision — an armed, responsible, and capable citizenry—still exists. But freedom is never self-executing; it must be defended in the courts, the culture, and in the public square.

The citizen militia lives. The Republic endures. The responsibility to protect both remains with us.

Call to duty for future generations

We are the inheritors of sacred trust. The Founders forged a nation on the principles of liberty and self-governance, and every generation since has carried that torch forward through courage, sacrifice, and, when necessary, with their lives. It is our duty to ensure that freedom does not erode, that the Constitution’s God-given rights are defended, and that the flame of liberty burns brighter in the hands of those who come after us.

Aug. 22 at Makoy in Hilliard: Register now for the 2026 Patriot Fest

We must equip future generations with knowledge, instill in them the discipline to act, and awaken in them the desire to protect what was so dearly fought for and won. The fight for liberty never finishes; it continues as long as we are willing to stand as the bedrock of freedom, safeguarding the inheritance of our children, grandchildren, and all who will call America home.

Above all, we must ensure that this great experiment in self-government endures and that the freedom we enjoy as Americans remains constant for generations to come.

Sean Maloney is a criminal defense attorney, cofounder of Second Call Defense, and an NRA-certified firearms instructor. He also serves as legal counsel for Buckeye Firearms Association. Republished with permission from AmmoLand.

SAF files motion in case challenging ATF frame and receiver rule

SHummel — Mon, 04 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Defense Distributed on April 24 filed a motion for summary judgment in Defense Distributed v. Blanche (formerly VanDerStok v. Bondi), challenging the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) rule that expands the definition of “firearm” in the efforts of the Biden administration to regulate so-called “ghost guns.”

In April 2022, the ATF published its Final Rule amending the regulatory definition of the term “firearm” to encompass precursor parts that, with enough additional manufacturing operations, could become functional firearms frames or receivers, but in their current state were nonfunctional — and critically, non-firearm — objects. In seeking to regulate these “non-firearm objects” the ATF’s Final Rule directly contradicted Congress’ definition of “firearm” set forth in the Gun Control Act of 1968. The ATF’s re-definition of “firearm” in the Final Rule establishes a practical ban on the private manufacture of firearms — a constitutionally protected tradition.

In another court case: BFA and partners ask court to strike down NFA rules on suppressors, short-barreled rifles

“This rule was one of the primary attacks by the Biden Administration on the ability of peaceable citizens to acquire arms,” said Bill Sack, SAF senior director of legal operations. “Self-manufacturing firearms for personal use is a time-honored tradition that countless citizens still practice, and one that is entirely legal under federal law. The frame and receiver rule that we have challenged here was promulgated with the goal of making self-manufacture so legally confusing as to dissuade Americans from exercising their rights.”

In December 2022, SAF filed to intervene in an existing lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas then known as VanDerStok v. Garland. The case challenged the lawfulness of ATF’s regulatory re-definition of a “firearm” under the Administrative Procedures Act. SAF scored a major victory in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which vacated significant portions of the Rule. The Biden Department of Justice, however, appealed to the Supreme Court, which ruled on only a portion of the lawsuit. Today’s motion for summary judgment seeks vindication on the remaining claims.

“We would love for the current administration to pre-emptively rescind the Biden era rule and fix the problems it creates,” said Alan M. Gottlieb, SAF founder and executive vice president. “But unless and until the ATF acts of its own accord, we have a duty to our members and supporters to push these claims full steam ahead. The rule as it stands has major legal infirmities that need to be aired out in court if the rule is going to be left in place as written.”

Republished with permission from the Second Amendment Foundation.

Ohio patriots - Vote for your gun rights on or before May 5

SHummel — Fri, 01 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) urges its members, as well as all Ohio residents, to vote in favor of gun rights in the May 5 midterm primary elections.

Early and absentee voting has already begun.

On Election Day, you must cast your ballot in your precinct at your designated polling place between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., according to the Ohio Secretary of State's Office VoteOhio.gov website. If you do not know where your designated precinct or polling place is located, contact your county board of elections or check this interactive directory to search for your polling place online.

Remember that Ohio law requires voters to present a valid, unexpired photo ID that includes their name and photograph, according to the site. Examples of acceptable IDs include Ohio driver licenses, state of Ohio ID cards, U.S. passports, and military IDs.

Winners in the primary election will advance to the November ballot. Terms essentially take effect at the start of 2027, with state and federal House seats up for election every two years, state Senate seats up every four years staggered, and federal Senate seats up every six years. The goveror serves a four-year term, as do the state attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, and auditor.

BFA has put together its 2026 BFA-PAC Grades and Endorsements for the Ohio Primary, including Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley in the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race, and strongly urges voters elect pro-gun candidates on or before May 5.

On a related note

Buckeye Firearms Association is excited to hold its inaugural 2026 Patriot Fest!

Join your fellow Ohio Patriots for an evening of fun, fellowship, and good food, plus auctions, raffles, and Tons o' Guns!

Our Keynote Speaker is Ramaswamy, who will outline his bold plans for the Buckeye State and share his firm commitment to the Second Amendment.

DOJ, ATF announce regulatory reforms to reduce burdens on law-abiding gun owners, businesses

SHummel — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The following announcement was posted April 29, 2026, on the U.S. Department of Justice website:

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is releasing this week 34 notices of final and proposed rulemaking following a comprehensive review of existing regulations conducted in accordance with Executive Order 14206, Protecting Second Amendment Rights. Consistent with ATF's commitment in 2025 to rebuild trust with Federal Firearms and Explosives Licensees (FFLs/FELs) and industry stakeholders, this review included a consideration of industry and expert feedback and concerns. This landmark release is the first in a series of regulatory updates ATF plans to issue.

The resulting rules are an effort to reduce unnecessary burdens on law-abiding citizens and businesses while modernizing regulatory frameworks that no longer reflect current law, agency practice, or court precedent. The aim is simpler, clearer regulations that do not compromise ATF's ability to perform its critical missions to protect American communities from violent crime.

“The Second Amendment is not a second-class right,” said U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This Department of Justice is ending the weaponization of federal authority against law-abiding gun owners. We will continue to vigorously defend their rights as the Constitution demands.”

Robert Cekada, who was recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate as ATF Director, also emphasized the need to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens and businesses. “ATF's mission is to protect public safety and enforce the law – and these reforms reflect our commitment to doing that through regulations that are clear, legally sound, and narrowly tailored to that purpose.” He added, “Our enforcement focus from here on out is on willful violators and criminal actors, not inadvertent compliance issues by responsible owners and licensees.”

Summaries of the rules will be uploaded at atf.gov. ATF encourages broad public participation in its regulatory process and invites input on the proposed changes. The agency is committed to reviewing input in a timely manner and ensuring consideration of significant feedback into the final rules.

Eleventh Circuit: Machine guns not protected in Second Amendment

SHummel — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

by John Crump

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has ruled that machine guns are not protected under the Second Amendment, citing the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s opinion in District of Columbia v. Heller. And the judge who authored the opinion is on President Donald Trump's short list for the U.S. Supreme Court.

The court held that machine guns are dangerous and unusual weapons and can be banned under the U.S. Constitution.

The case, United States v. Maxon Alsenat, involved the conviction of Maxon Alsenat under 18 U.S.C. § 922(o)(1), which prohibits the possession of a machine gun (including conversion devices). Mr. Alsenat was indicted in the Southern District of Florida for knowingly possessing a machine-gun conversion device (MCD). In this case, police claimed that he possessed three "Glock" switches, which they say he tried to sell to an undercover officer. He moved to dismiss the indictment on Second Amendment grounds. The district court denied the motion, finding that machine guns are not in common use and are dangerous and unusual. The court also ruled that conversion devices are not “arms.” In the court’s view, MCDs are “accessories” and therefore not protected by the Second Amendment.

Midterms are here: 2026 BFA-PAC Grades and Endorsements for the Ohio Primary

Mr. Alsenat pleaded guilty to the charges, admitting that he possessed the contraband, but preserved his right to appeal on constitutional grounds. He was sentenced to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He appealed to the Eleventh Circuit, arguing that under the Bruen standard, the government could not ban an adult with no felony convictions from owning machine guns and machine-gun conversion devices.

The court rejected the challenge and affirmed his conviction.

The opinion, authored by Chief Judge William Pryor and joined by Circuit Judges Brasher and Abudu, relied heavily on District of Columbia v. Heller.

Chief Judge Pryor, who is on President Trump’s short list for the next Supreme Court vacancy, reasoned that the Second Amendment protects weapons “typically possessed by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes” but does not extend to “dangerous and unusual weapons.” He cited the Heller opinion, which explicitly described machine guns (e.g., M-16 rifles) as the type of arms that could be banned and stated it would be “startling” if federal restrictions on them were unconstitutional.

In another case: BFA and partners ask court to strike down NFA rules on suppressors, short-barreled rifles

Mr. Alsenat argued that the machine-gun ban fails the New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen analysis and United States v. Rahimi. His arguments did not persuade the court. According to Chief Judge Pryor, neither Bruen nor Rahimi changed Heller. Rather, both cases reaffirmed that the amendment protects weapons in common use and permits regulation of dangerous and unusual ones.

Alsenat’s lack of a felony record did not change the outcome. According to the court, the ban is constitutional as applied to him, and his “quasi-facial” challenge failed because the statute has valid applications. There were no concurrences or dissents in the case, meaning Alsenat lost by a 3-0 margin.

Mr. Alsenat may request an en banc hearing, in which the full bench would hear the case, but with Chief Judge Pryor authoring the opinion, his chances of a different outcome are minimal. He could also seek a writ of certiorari from the U.S. Supreme Court, though SCOTUS granting cert would be a long shot.

Republished with permission from AmmoLand.

Results from Ohio’s wild turkey opening weekend - south zone

SHummel — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

From ODNR Division of Wildlife

Wild turkey hunters in Ohio’s south zone checked 4,646 birds during the opening weekend of the spring hunting season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The season began Saturday, April 25. In 2025, hunters bagged 4,281 wild turkeys on the south zone’s opening weekend, with a three-year average (2023 to 2025) of 4,239. Results do not include birds taken during the youth season.

The top 10 counties for wild turkeys checked during the opening weekend of the 2026 season were as follows:

Tuscarawas (144)
Belmont (142)
Brown (135)
Guernsey (135)
Gallia (131)
Highland (131)
Jefferson (127)
Meigs (127)
Monroe (126)
Adams (125)

In Ohio’s northeast zone, which includes Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties, young hunters tagged 119 birds during the special youth-only hunting weekend held April 25-26. The two-day season was open to hunters ages 17 and younger, and participants were required to be accompanied by a nonhunting adult. During the south zone’s youth weekend of April 18-19, hunters checked 1,939 birds (initially reported at 1,941), bringing Ohio's youth season total to 2,058 turkeys.

Wild turkey hunting is open in the 83 counties that make up the south zone. The season kicks off for hunters of all ages in Ohio’s northeast zone (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull) on Saturday, May 2. Hunting hours during the first nine days of each zone are from 30 minutes before sunrise until noon. Beginning Monday, May 4, hours in the south zone are from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset until the season closes May 24. The northeast zone’s hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset from May 11 to 31.

The season bag limit is one bird statewide. Check the Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information.

Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license in addition to a spring turkey permit unless exempted. Successful hunters are required to game-check their turkey no later than 11:30 p.m. on the day of harvest. Game check, licenses, and permits are available on the HuntFish OH app, via the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System, or at a participating license agent. Game check can also be done by phone at 1-877-TAG-IT-OH (877-824-4864).

As of Sunday, April 26, the Division of Wildlife has issued 41,669 turkey hunting permits that are valid throughout the spring season.

Each summer, the division collects information on young wild turkeys, called poults. Brood surveys in 2022, 2023, and 2024 showed positive results that will benefit Ohio’s wild turkey population numbers this spring. The average poults per hen observed was 2.9 in 2024, 2.8 in 2023, and 3.0 in 2022, with a long-term average of 2.8. Ohio’s turkey biologists have found that spring turkey hunting success is closely tied to the hatch productivity two years prior. Hatch productivity in 2025 was 2.7 poults per hen.

Wild turkeys disappeared (extirpated) from Ohio by 1904 and were reintroduced in the 1950s by the Division of Wildlife. Ohio’s first modern-day turkey season opened in 1966 in nine counties, and hunters took 12 birds. The turkey harvest topped 1,000 for the first time in 1984. Spring turkey hunting opened statewide in 2000.

BFA and partners ask court to strike down NFA rules on suppressors, short-barreled rifles

SHummel — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

by Joe D. "Buck" Ruth

A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act tax stamp, in which Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) is a plaintiff, has entered the next phase.

The case, Roberts v. ATF (2:26-CV-91-SCM), was filed in February 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. The complaint argues that because the tax has been eliminated, the NFA’s tax-stamp requirement is no longer justified under Congress’ taxing power or under any other authority granted under Article I of the U.S. Constitution. The complaint also asserts that the NFA registration requirement for suppressors and short-barreled rifles violates the Second Amendment.

Plaintiffs on April 24 filed an amended complaint and a motion for summary judgment with the court, seeking to end the case without a full trial and asking the court for a simple but historic ruling: The NFA’s scheme of registration and regulatory web is now unconstitutional.

Summary judgment is appropriate when the moving party "shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact" and "is entitled to judgment as a matter of law," the filed motion notes, adding that there are no factual issues at stake in this case.

Per the motion's conclusion:

"Plaintiffs respectfully request that the Court grant Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment on Count One, enter a declaratory judgment that the challenged NFA provisions and attendant regulations are unconstitutional and unenforceable as applied to the non-taxed firearms, and permanently enjoin Defendants from enforcing those provisions and regulations to the extent set forth above. Plaintiffs also request that the Court grant Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment on Count Two, enter a declaratory judgment that the challenged NFA provisions and attendant regulations are unconstitutional and unenforceable as to suppressors and short-barreled rifles under the Second Amendment, and permanently enjoin Defendants from enforcing those provisions and regulations to the extent set forth above."

Background

As BFA noted when the case was filed, until the passage of President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, the NFA had imposed a $200 excise tax ("tax stamp") on suppressors and on short-barreled rifles and required a tax-enforcement registration requirement on those items.

Trump's bill included both the SHORT Act and the Hearing Protection Act and would have eliminated the NFA tax and registration. At the time, BFA joined a long list of organizations nationwide in signing an open letter to two U.S. House of Representatives committees, insisting that Congress eliminate unjust restrictions imposed by the NFA.

The bill passed the House, but Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, a Democrat appointed during the Harry Reid era, on July 3 stripped both pro-gun measures from the legislation, asserting that they exceeded the provisions of the Byrd rule, which governs reconciliation measures, because they weren't directly tax related. All that remained was a reduction of the tax stamp from $200 to $0, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The Supreme Court has established that any regulation on arms-bearing conduct must be consistent with our nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. As the complaint argues, there is no tradition that supports the NFA’s registration requirement for protected arms such as suppressors and short-barreled rifles.

The plaintiffs in the case include Buckeye Firearms Association, American Suppressor Association Foundation, Center for Human Liberty, Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, Meridian Ordnance, and two individuals. The case represents the third lawsuit supported by the NRA, ASA, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Second Amendment Foundation challenging the NFA since the Big Beautiful Bill eliminated the tax for NFA items.

Again, once Congress removed the taxes, it destroyed the NFA’s only constitutional foundation for regulating these items. With no tax left to enforce, the remaining registration, paperwork, and felony penalties can no longer be justified under the federal taxing power or any other enumerated power in the Constitution, so the NFA’s unconstitutional application to these now‑untaxed items must be struck down.

What victory would mean

A victory in Roberts v. ATF would represent one of the most significant shifts in federal firearms law in nearly a century. Because the case targets the very foundation of the NFA, the ripples would affect both the legal landscape and the daily lives of gun owners.

Here is what a win would likely mean in practical terms:

Removal of the NFA registry for common Items. If the court rules that mandatory registration is unconstitutional, items like suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), and short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) would likely be removed from the NFA registry.
Deregulation of suppressors. A major focus of this litigation is the classification of suppressors. A win would likely reclassify them as simple "firearm accessories" or "bearable arms."
Setting a 'no-registry' precedent. Beyond just suppressors and SBRs, a victory in Roberts would establish a powerful legal precedent: The federal government cannot use its taxing power to justify a national gun registry.
Impact on state laws. While Roberts is a federal case, a win based on Second Amendment grounds would likely flow down to the states.

For the general public, a victory would signal a transition in how "scary-looking" or specialized firearms technology is viewed. It would move these items out of the category of "dangerous and unusual weapons" and into the category of "common tools for self-defense and recreation."

Essentially, it would treat a 10-inch barrel or a noise-reducing tube with the same legal scrutiny as a standard 16-inch hunting rifle, removing the "special permission" requirement that has existed since 1934.

BFA NEEDS YOUR HELP

BFA is proud to be a named plaintiff in this landmark litigation. For more than 20 years, BFA has advanced and protected your constitutional rights, standing between you and politicians who see the Second Amendment as a suggestion rather than a guarantee. While others talk about gun rights, BFA is in the trenches, filing the briefs and taking on the Department of Justice and the ATF to protect your interests.

We have played a direct role in every modern U.S. Supreme Court victory, passed multiple landmark bills in Ohio to bring gun rights into the 21st century, and now stand on the brink of shattering one of the most egregious infringements ever written into law.

Litigating against the federal government is a monumental task that requires significant resources. We are taking this fight all the way, but we need the continued support of our members to cross the finish line.

If you support eliminating the National Firearms Act and our ongoing fight for freedom, please make a donation TODAY! Your donation of $100, $50, or any amount you can afford will directly support our efforts at every level. Stand with us!

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How else can you help?

Stay Informed. We will continue to provide updates as this case moves toward oral arguments.
Spread the word. Share this update with fellow gun owners who are tired of NFA overreach.
Support the mission. Your memberships and donations directly fund the legal experts and filings required to win in federal court.

Joe D. "Buck" Ruth, a pen name for Scott Hummel, is a longtime small-game hunter and gun owner who spent nearly three decades in the news industry. He is the website and social-media manager for Buckeye Firearms Association.