A federal judge in Kansas has tossed out a machine gun possession charge and questioned if bans on the weapons violate the Second Amendment.

The gun dealer allegedly used straw purchasers to sell firearms notorious among Mexican drug cartels. Over 266 weapons, including military-grade rifles and a .50 caliber gun, were seized from his store.

The Biden administration's rule looks to stop a loophole allowing gun sales by unlicensed dealers who don't perform background checks. Ken Paxton, however, called it “a dramatic escalation of [Joe Biden's] tyrannical abuse of authority."

A total of 23 people were taken into custody following the return of a 50-count indictment alleging cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and meth trafficking and related crimes in the Houston and Galveston areas.

The Houston area remains a hotspot for firearms traffickers who are purchasing weapons in the United States to send to the drug cartels in Mexico.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is seeking information leading to the arrest of two men accused of stealing guns at a Missouri City pawn shop on April 11.

The FBI and Justice Department recently disrupted the activities of a hacking group that was sponsored by the North Korean government and that targeted U.S. hospitals with ransomware.

Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are on a mission to train law enforcement agencies nationwide on how to spot illegally manufactured machine guns and the devices used to create them.

The ATF is asking for the public's help to recover any grenades that may have been purchased from Fancy Flea Antique Mall in Shallotte, North Carolina, because they may be live. CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A 12-year-old boy from Virginia was killed by a grenade he had purchased at an antique store, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in a news release. He had purchased the grenade on June 13 at an antique mall near Charlotte, North Carolina. CNN reported the grenades were thought to be “chemically inactive” Mk2 grenades, a style used during World War II. The ATF did not release information on how many of the grenades may have been sold at the antique mall.

Members of the National Guard walk past the Dome of the Capitol Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON – All through downtown Washington, the primary sound for several blocks was the beeping of forklifts unloading more fencing. The number of National Guard troops coming to Washington to assist with security has so far grown to about 21,000, Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told Vice President Mike Pence at a briefing Thursday. National Guard members operate under strict rules of engagement on the use of force. D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee estimated Wednesday that more than 20,000 National Guard members would be active in the city on Inauguration Day.

Buildings that were damaged in a Christmas Day explosion are seen, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. Officials are continuing to assess building damage caused by the Christmas Day explosion as law enforcement officials on Thursday allowed media outlets the first opportunity to survey the bomb site. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP, Pool)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Officials are continuing to assess building damage caused by the Christmas Day bombing as law enforcement officials on Thursday allowed media outlets the first opportunity to survey the downtown Nashville explosion site. City officials hoped to finish their assessment of the structural damage of the 41 affected buildings by Thursday. Bill Lee has asked the White House for an emergency declaration to free up money and resources to impacted business owners. Federal officials are continuing to investigate the motive of the man they identified as the bomber, 63-year-old Anthony Quinn Warner,

HOUSTON – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive’s Houston Office announced the creation of a Gun Crime Strike Force in January 2019. Since its inception, the task force has arrested 293 people. The task force is a partnership between ATF and Houston police targeting violent gun crimes and career criminals. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive’s Houston Office announced the creation of a Gun Crime Strike Force in January 2019. Since its inception, the task force has arrested 293 people.

HOUSTON – Houston police released the name of a man Friday night who authorities said shot and killed a fire Department arson investigator early Friday morning. Police said 30-year-old Joshua De La Cerda committed suicide at the scene of a shootout with HFD arson investigator Lemuel Bruce about 3:30 a.m. in the 2100 block of Seamist Drive and W. 18th Street. RELATED: Who was Lemuel Bruce, HFD arson investigator killed in shootingHPFFA President Patrick Lancton said in part, “We mourn the line-of-duty loss of Lemuel Bruce, our friend and brother. Details of the memorial service for Investigator Bruce will be announced as soon as possible. HFD arson investigator Lemuel Bruce died following a shooting with an arson suspect on Oct. 16, 2020.