Guy Reffitt, of Wylie, was indicted Dec. 14, 2022, in the Eastern District of Texas for possessing an unregistered firearm suppressor, commonly known as a silencer.
DALLAS — A North Texas man and, according to federal prosecutors, one of the key figures in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, still faces a weapons charge that was not included in his pardon from President Donald Trump.
Guy Reffitt, of Wylie, was indicted Dec. 14, 2022, in the Eastern District of Texas for possessing an unregistered firearm suppressor, commonly known as a silencer.
During the investigation following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, law enforcement discovered the suppressor while executing a search warrant.
After President Trump pardoned Reffitt on Jan. 20, he was supposed to remain in prison due to a hold on his release related to the weapons charge. However, according to an official familiar with his case, Reffitt was inadvertently released, leading to a hearing a week later on Jan. 28 in Plano. Court documents show Eastern District of Texas prosecutors in the unregistered firearm suppressor case asked the judge to allow Reffitt to remain free while awaiting trial. The judge agreed, but he was released with certain conditions.
According to court documents outlining his bond conditions, Reffitt was ordered to have no contact with his son, who had reported him to federal authorities for his involvement in the Jan. 6 attack. He is also prohibited from possessing a firearm, destructive device, or other weapons and was instructed not to use alcohol. Additionally, court documents show that he must participate in mental health assessments and/or undergo a treatment program.
Reffitt, who had no prior criminal history, was the first person convicted in connection with the Capitol riot. Prosecutors said he “lit the match” for the violent attack on Congress.
Prosecutors said Reffitt was a recruiter for the anti-government group the Three Percenters. While he never entered the Capitol, prosecutors allege he played a key role in inciting the crowd. Investigators say he was equipped with a handgun, body armor, a helmet, a radio, and flex cuffs.
In March 2022, a jury found him guilty on five counts: two counts of civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, entering and remaining on restricted grounds with a firearm, and obstruction of justice. In 2022, he was sentenced to seven years in federal prison.
In 2024, his sentence was reduced by seven months.
Texas and Federal Law on Gun Suppressors
Under Texas law, firearm suppressors are legal to own, but they must comply with federal regulations. The National Firearms Act (NFA) requires silencers to be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Owners must pay a $200 tax stamp and undergo a federal background check, even if they have legally purchased firearms in the past and previously passed a background check. Possessing an unregistered silencer is a federal offense, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
In court documents regarding Reffitt’s most recent case, prosecutors are seeking a penalty of no more than 10 years in prison, a fine not exceeding $10,000, and supervised release for a term of up to three years.
Texas passed a law in 2021 attempting to exempt firearm suppressors made and sold within the state from federal regulation, but the law remains legally contested and is still being challenged in court. As of now, federal law takes precedence over state law.
Reffitt is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing in June. We reached out to Reffitt’s attorney in the unregistered firearms suppressor case, but he declined to comment because it is an ongoing case.