In Peterson v. United States, George Peterson challenged the National Firearms Act’s registration and tax requirements for suppressors. The Fifth Circuit assumed, without deciding, that suppressors are protected arms, but rejected his challenge. He asked the US Supreme Court to hear his case, and the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus joined other gun rights organizations in an amicus brief urging the Court to grant review.
Our brief opens with the story of Charles Foehner, a 65-year-old New Yorker who defended himself against a mugger and is now serving four years in prison, not for the shooting, but because the gun he used was not separately registered in New York City. Registering every individual arm is not a tradition the Second Amendment tolerates.
Our brief makes three arguments:
- Suppressors are “arms” under the plain text of the Second Amendment, as are all firearm parts.
- There is no relevant history of requiring registration of each individual arm, as the NFA does.
- Special taxes on protected arms lack historical support.
We are joined in this Amicus Curiae Brief by:
- The Second Amendment Foundation
- The National Rifle Association of America
- The American Suppressor Association
- The California Rifle & Pistol Association
- The Second Amendment Law Center
- The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Outcome
On April 20, 2026, the Supreme Court denied certiorari.
Last updated: April 20, 2026
Case Details
Case Title
George Peterson v. United States of America, on petition for a writ of certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
US Supreme Court Case #
25-1076
Our Brief
On our website, you can read our Amicus Brief filed in the United States Supreme Court on April 2, 2026.
Counsel of Record
In this case, we are represented by Konstadinos T. Moros of the Second Amendment Foundation, counsel of record, with C.D. Michel and Anna M. Barvir of Michel & Associates, P.C.
Want to support our legal and litigation efforts?
Our lawsuits and amicus briefs are underwritten by the Minnesota Gun Owners Support Fund, doing business as the MN Gun Owners Law Center, a 501(c)(3). Gifts may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.