PHOENIX, Ariz. (April 4, 2023) – Today, the Arizona House gave final approval to a bill that would decriminalize firearm sound suppressors in the state, and effectively end state enforcement of National Firearms Act (NFA) restrictions on the same.
Sen. Wendy Rogers and four fellow Republicans introduced Senate Bill 1109 (SB1109) on Jan. 31. The legislation would remove “a device that is designed, made or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm” from the state’s list of “prohibited weapons.” In effect, the bill would legalize the possession of firearm “silencers” in Arizona law.
Additionally, under an Arizona law passed in 2021, the enactment of SB1109 would simultaneously end state enforcement of federal regulations on firearm sound suppressors as well.
Today, the Arizona House passed SB1109 by a 31-28 vote. The Senate previously approved the measure by a 16-13 vote. It now moves to Gov. Katie Hobbs’sย desk for her consideration.
IMPACT ON FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT
Suppressors simply muffle the sound of a gun. They do not literally silence firearms. Nevertheless, the federal government heavily regulates silencers under the National Firearms Act. The feds charge a $200 tax on the purchase of the devices. Buying oneย also requires months-long waits after filing extensive paperwork with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Passed in 2021, HB2111 bans the state and all political subdivisions of the state from โusing any personnel or financial resources to enforce, administer or cooperate with any act, law, treaty, order, rule or regulation of the United States government that is inconsistent with any lawโ of the state of Arizona regarding the regulation of firearms.
Since the passage of SB1109 would legalize firearm sound suppressors and remove all state restrictions on the same, federal laws regulating them would become “inconsistent” with state law. That would end state and local cooperation with enforcement of the federal regulations.
In effect, under HB2111, any law limiting state gun control such as this firearm suppressor bill simultaneously ends state enforcement of similar federal gun control, providing a one-two punch.
EFFECTIVE
The federal government relies heavily on state cooperation to implement and enforce almost all of its laws, regulations and acts โ including gun control. By simply withdrawing this necessary cooperation, states and localities can nullify many federal actions in effect. As noted by the National Governorsโ Association during the partial government shutdown of 2013, โstates are partners with the federal government on most federal programs.โ
Based onย James Madisonโs advice for states and individualsย in Federalist #46, a โrefusal to cooperate with officers of the Unionโ represents an extremely effective method to bring down federal gun control measures because most enforcement actions rely on help, support and leadership from state and local governments.
Fox News senior judicial analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano agreed. In a televised discussion on the issue,ย he noted that a single state taking this stepย would make federal gun laws โnearly impossibleโ to enforce.
Partnerships donโt work too well when half the team quits. By withdrawing all resources and participation in federal gun control, states and even local governments can help bring these unconstitutional acts to their much-needed end.
But the real measure of whether or not the law has any impact rests with the people of Texas themselves. (learn more in this podcast)
LEGAL BASIS
The state of Texas can legally bar state agents from enforcing federal gun control. Refusal to cooperate with federal enforcement rests on a well-established legal principle known asย the anti-commandeering doctrine.
Simply put, the federal government cannot force states to help implement or enforce any federal act or program. The anti-commandeering doctrine is based primarily on five Supreme Court cases dating back to 1842.ย Printz v. U.S.ย (1997) serves as the cornerstone. For the majority, Justice Scalia wrote, in part:
โWe held in New York that Congress cannot compel the States to enact or enforce a federal regulatory program. Today we hold that Congress cannot circumvent that prohibition by conscripting the Statesโ officers directly. The Federal Government may neither issue directives requiring the States to address particular problems, nor command the Statesโ officers, or those of their political subdivisions, to administer or enforce a federal regulatory program. It matters not whether policymaking is involved, and no case by case weighing of the burdens or benefits is necessary; such commands are fundamentally incompatible with our constitutional system of dual sovereigntyโ
No determination of constitutionality is necessaryย to invoke the anti-commandeering doctrine. State and local governments can refuse to enforce federal laws or implement federal programs whether they are constitutional or not.
WHAT’S NEXT
Gov. Hobbs will have five days (excluding Sunday) from the date SB1109 is transmitted to her desk to sign or veto the bill, or it becomes law without her signature.
- Ignorance and Freedom Cannot Coexist - March 19, 2026
- The Federal Government is Not the Boss - March 8, 2026
- One Step is a Step Too Far - February 28, 2026