WASHINGTON – The US Supreme Court on Monday denied a request to take up a challenge to a federal law requiring the registration of some firearms including silencers.
Challengers in the case believe the Second Amendment protects such firearm accessories. An appeals court had held that a silencer is not a “bearable” arm protected by the Constitution.
The case comes as a silencer was used during the recent Virginia Beach massacre and President Donald Trump said he’d look into restrictions on gun silencers.
The Trump administration had also urged the court not to take up the issue. The order was issued without comment or recorded dissent.
Eight states and Washington, DC, go further and ban silencers altogether, others ban them unless registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Court experts did not expect the court to take up this issue, but believe justices are more likely to look at other issues concerning public carry and assault weapons.
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