Press Releases

Webster CoSponsors Bill to Close Loophole in National Firearms Act

Washington, DC - Florida Congressman Daniel Webster (R-Clermont) joined Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) in introducing the No Backdoor Gun Control Act. This legislation would remove “Any Other Weapon” (AOW) from the definition of a firearm under the National Firearms Act (NFA), ensuring that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) could not use the AOW section to violate Americans’ Second Amendment rights. This is especially important should legislation that removes short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns (SBRs, SBSs) from the NFA be enacted. Closing this loophole is an important step forward in reining in the ATF.

“The right to safe and responsible firearms ownership is part of America’s Constitution and continues to contribute to individual and public safety,” said Rep. Webster. “I will not stand by and allow the ATF and DOJ to attack our Constitutional rights and target law-abiding citizens.”

“The federal government has no business taxing and registering privately owned firearms with a catch-all term like ‘Any Other Weapon’ or AOW. With the Biden Administration weaponizing definitions from the draconian National Firearms Act of 1934 to ban as many as 40,000,000 lawfully acquired guns like AR-15s, Rep. Chip Roy’s repeal of federal AOW regulations could not come at a better time,” said Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs, Gun Owners of America.

The No Backdoor Gun Control Act

  • Removes AOWs from the definition of a firearm under the NFA
  • Ensures that AOW owners are treated as having met requirements of state licensing laws that reference the NFA
  • Requires the DOJ to destroy AOW registration records

The legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Ted Budd (NC-13), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Marjorie Taylor Green (GA-14), Ken Buck (CO-04), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Matt Rosendale (MT-at-Large), Jody Hice (GA-10) Ralph Norman (SC-05), Scott Perry (PA-10), Alex X. Mooney (WV-02), Randy Weber (TX-14), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Bob Good (VA-05), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Thomas Massie (KY-04), Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and Mary Miller (IL-15) and supported by Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the National Association of Gun Rights (NAGR).

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