AG Fitch: Calls for NFA Repeal, Citing Unconstitutional Provisions

• Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch urged Congress to repeal specific provisions of the National Firearms Act.
• Her call, made on September 9, 2026, is based on the belief that these provisions are unconstitutional.
• This action contributes to the ongoing national debate surrounding firearms law reform in the United States.
• The National Firearms Act, enacted in 1934, regulates certain firearms and has faced constitutional challenges over time.
• A state Attorney General's advocacy could influence legislative efforts or judicial review concerning federal firearms regulations.

The call from Mississippi's Attorney General Lynn Fitch to repeal parts of the National Firearms Act carries substantial weight within the national conversation on firearms law reform in the US.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch recently issued a direct appeal to the United States Congress, urging federal lawmakers to initiate the repeal of specific provisions within the National Firearms Act (NFA). This significant call, made on September 9, 2026, underscores a growing push from some state-level legal officials to re-evaluate long-standing federal firearms legislation.

Attorney General Fitch's advocacy centers on her assertion that certain elements of the National Firearms Act are fundamentally unconstitutional. Her public statement highlights a legal perspective that challenges the federal government's authority as currently exercised through these particular regulations, signaling a potential shift in the discourse surrounding firearms law reform in the US.

The National Firearms Act, originally enacted in 1934, represents a cornerstone of federal firearms regulation in the United States. This landmark legislation imposes strict controls and taxation on the manufacture, sale, and possession of certain types of firearms and accessories, including machine guns, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and silencers. Its provisions mandate registration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with specific transfer procedures and taxes for certain items, though a federal court ruling in August 2026 has made the registration and approval requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and 'any other weapons' unenforceable for certain parties, following the elimination of the $200 tax on these items effective January 1, 2026.

Over the decades, various aspects of the NFA have faced scrutiny and legal challenges, often predicated on interpretations of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Critics frequently argue that some of the Act's requirements infringe upon the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. Attorney General Fitch's recent declaration aligns with this ongoing debate, specifically targeting what she identifies as "unconstitutional provisions" within the statute, though the precise sections were not detailed in her public statement. This renewed focus from a state Attorney General adds a new dimension to the discussion around the NFA's continued legal viability.

The call from Mississippi's Attorney General Lynn Fitch to repeal parts of the National Firearms Act carries substantial weight within the national conversation on firearms law reform in the US. Such an appeal from a high-ranking state legal official can galvanize political support for legislative changes and potentially influence judicial interpretations of federal gun laws. It signals a proactive stance by a state to challenge federal statutes it deems constitutionally infirm.

This development could foreshadow a more concerted "Mississippi AG NFA challenge" or similar actions from other states, potentially leading to legislative proposals in Congress aimed at amending or repealing specific NFA provisions. The advocacy highlights the persistent tension between federal regulatory authority and state-level interpretations of Second Amendment rights, suggesting that the debate over the scope and application of the National Firearms Act is far from settled. The September 9, 2026, announcement marks a notable moment in the ongoing efforts to reshape federal firearms policy.

Lawyers advising clients on firearms compliance or Second Amendment rights should monitor congressional developments regarding the National Firearms Act, as this advocacy from a state Attorney General signals potential legislative challenges or reforms to existing federal firearms regulations.

Source: Original reporting via AG Fitch press release