The Shooting Wire

Friday, February 27, 2026  ■  Courts

FPC Supports New Lawsuit Challenging the NFA

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced the filing of a new FPC-backed challenge to the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934, Roberts v. ATF.

The plaintiffs challenging the federal law include T.J. Roberts, Zachary Cockrell, Meridian Ordnance, LLC, the Buckeye Firearms Association, the Center for Human Liberty, Jews for the Preservation of Firearm Ownership, and the American Suppressor Association Foundation. The plaintiffs are represented by David Thompson, Peter Patterson, and Nicholas Varone of Cooper & Kirk, and supported by FPC. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is the defendant as the agency responsible for enforcing the NFA.

The complaint was filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in Covington, KY. The Hon. Judge Chad Meredith was assigned to the case.

The District Court officially docketed the filing of the complaint on February 26. Likely next steps include an answer from the defendant and a briefing schedule from the District Court.

The NFA imposes felony prosecution for violations of its regulatory scheme over now-untaxed firearms. The plaintiffs seek a judicial declaration that such regulations are unconstitutional as they exceed Congress' enumerated powers and violate the Second Amendment. They seek a permanent injunction against the enforcement of those NFA sections and other relief.

"This new case is another critical shot at taking down the National Firearms Act-an immoral, unconstitutional ban scheme that has no place in a free country. FPC is proud to stand with our allies as we drive a nationwide strategy to dismantle this federal regime, and we'll keep fighting until all peaceable people can exercise their rights when, where, and how they choose," said FPC President Brandon Combs.

About Firearms Policy Coalition: Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) is a nonprofit membership organization that exists to create a world of maximal individual liberty and eliminate unconstitutional gun control laws. FPC works—and wins—for the People through high-impact strategic litigation, groundbreaking research, legislative and regulatory advocacy, grassroots activism, education, and public engagement. FPC's legal division, FPC Law, is the nation's leading initiative dedicated to restoring the right to keep and bear arms across the United States. To learn more about how FPC is working—and winning—for the People, sign up for FPC news alerts at firearmspolicy.org and follow FPC on X, Instagram, and Facebook.