Texas Scorecard by Mary Berg June 26, 2026
Despite the ruling, federal restrictions on suppressors remain in place. The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that suppressors are protected by the Second Amendment as they improve accuracy and reduce hearing loss, making them critical for self-defense.
Most firearms are regulated under general gun laws, but suppressors, like machine guns, fall under the National Firearms Act’s stricter registration system, requiring a lengthy approval process and fees.
The case, United States v. Comeaux, was decided by the federal appeals court last week.
According to court filings, Brennan Comeaux, a Louisiana man, was charged with possession of an unregistered suppressor but argued suppressors are protected by the Second Amendment.
The Fifth Circuit agreed on that point, noting suppressors facilitate self-defense and make firearms safer and more effective.
However, the court affirmed Comeaux’s conviction because existing Fifth Circuit precedent in United States v. Peterson treats the NFA’s registration process as presumptively constitutional. Unless that premise is challenged and overcome, the federal laws regulating suppressors will remain in place.
More:
https://texasscorecard.com/federal/fifth-circuit-rules-suppressors-are-protected-by-second-amendment/
