Trump directs DOJ to drop appeal on looser NFA gun rules

President Trump reportedly ordered the DOJ not to appeal a federal judge's ruling that loosens restrictions on National Firearms Act weapons—including short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and silencers—potentially allowing some people to own or sell these arms with less government oversight; the decision centers on a 2023 change that removed the NFA tax, and does not apply to widely used guns like AR-15s. The move could affect federal prosecutions, with DOJ guidance forthcoming, and may invite intervention by states or Congress to reimpose controls, but existing prohibitions remain in place.