Attorney General Jackley Joins Request in Urging DOJ Not to Appeal Firearm Restrictions Ruling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026

Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878   

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley joins eight other Attorneys General in requesting that the U.S. Department of Justice not appeal a Texas federal court decision ruling that the National Firearms Act’s registration requirements for short‑barreled rifles, short‑barreled shotguns, silencers, and other firearms are no longer valid.

South Dakota was one of 14 states to challenge the regulations. The Federal Court ruled this month that the NFA’s required registration of the firearms were only valid as a means of collecting taxes. But once the taxes were eliminated in the One Beautiful Bill Act, the Court ruled the regulations could no longer be enforced without taxing power.

“We are asking the DOJ to outline for South Dakota and the other plaintiff states the specific steps the ATF will take to ensure this registration activity stops immediately,” said Attorney General Jackley.  “Gun owners, firearms dealers, and manufacturers need clear reassurance that they are not required to provide any information beyond what federal law already mandates.”

The DOJ had until midnight Thursday to request a stay to delay the ruling from going into effect but declined to do so. The DOJ is still reviewing the decision according to published reports.

Other Attorneys Generals who signed the DOJ letter are from Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Wyoming,