NEW ORLEANS (June 17, 2025) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has withdrawn the flawed 3-judge panel opinion in United States v. George Peterson, an FPC-backed criminal case challenging the federal government’s regulation of suppressors through unconstitutional registration and taxation requirements.
“It’s clear that the Fifth Circuit is taking another look at this important issue in light of the excellent arguments our attorneys have made in Mr. Peterson’s appeal,” said FPC President Brandon Combs. “We hope the full Fifth Circuit will now rehear the case and confirm that suppressors are protected arms under the Second Amendment. FPC will continue to fight for suppressor freedom in the courts and in Congress until these unconstitutional NFA rules have been eliminated.”
“Today’s withdrawal is a promising development and we look forward to pressing this case forward,” said FPC Action Foundation President and co-counsel for Mr. Peterson, Cody J. Wisniewski. “This case, however, is far from over. The Fifth Circuit should now properly apply Supreme Court precedent and issue an opinion that recognizes the Constitution’s protection of suppressors as well as the unconstitutionality of the government’s tax and registration scheme in the NFA.”
Individuals who want to JOIN THE FIGHT and be a part of the FPC community’s mission to eliminate unconstitutional laws throughout the United States, including the NFA rules at issue in this case, can join the FPC Grassroots Army at JoinFPC.org.
The brief and other case documents in Peterson can be viewed at firearmspolicy.org/peterson. Mr. Peterson is represented by attorneys David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson, William V. Bergstrom, and Athanasia O. Livas of Cooper & Kirk as well as FPCAF’s Wisniewski.
About FPC
Firearms Policy Coalition (firearmspolicy.org), a 501(c)4 nonprofit membership organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty, defend constitutional rights, advance individual liberty, and restore freedom. We work to achieve our strategic objectives through litigation, research, scholarly publications, amicus briefing, legislative and regulatory action, grassroots activism, education, outreach, and other programs. Our FPC Law program is the nation’s preeminent legal action initiative focused on restoring the right to keep and bear arms throughout the United States. For more on FPC’s lawsuits and other pro-Second Amendment initiatives, follow FPC on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
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