15-Second Briefing:
On Friday, January 13, the ATF finalized its newest rule which redefines what is considered a “rifle” according to the National Firearms Act (NFA). This altered definition now categorizes pistols with an attached stabilizing brace as short-barreled rifles that require a federal license per the NFA.
In order to attain this license, law-abiding citizens are forced to undergo unreasonable background checks, pay a $200 tax, and obtain a registered serial number.
UPDATE (Jan. 19, 2023): As of January 13, a House bill has been submitted called the Protecting Individual Sovereignty Through Our Laws (PISTOL) Act. Please encourage your congressman or woman to support this piece of legislation and protect our rights.
Joe Biden has clearly staked out his opposition to the rights and freedoms endowed by the United States Constitution to every American citizen. He has made it clear that he does not believe there is a single, solitary reason for you to have the right to defend yourself and your family.
On Thursday, January 12, while standing with his armed secret service agents, he told reporters:
“The idea we still allow semi-automatic weapons to be purchased is sick…There’s not a single solitary rationale for it, except profits for the gun manufacturers.”
President Joe Biden
The next day, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the latest example of Constitutional overreach from the Biden administration’s Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives (ATF). The ATF published its final rule regarding pistol stabilizing devices, now categorizing them under NFA regulation as short-barreled rifles.
What is a pistol brace?
A pistol stabilizing brace is an auxiliary accessory that can be attached to the rear of a firearm to allow it to be fired one-handed. A piece of velcro wraps the shooter’s forearm and secures the gun, creating an additional point of contact for added stability.
Pistol stabilizing braces are designed to improve firearm control, safety, and accuracy by providing added leverage and grip security. They originally became popular as an equitable way for disabled combat veterans and those with physical limitations to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
What does the ATF say?
On January 13, 2023, the ATF announced ATF final rule 2021R-08F titled “Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached “Stabilizing Braces,” which changes their definition of what is considered a “rifle.”
The newly expanded definition of a “rifle” now includes any firearm “that is equipped with an accessory component or other rearward attachment (e.g., a “stabilizing brace”) that provides surface area that allows the weapon to be fired from the shoulder…”
Under the NFA, rifles with a barrel length under 16 inches are considered short-barreled rifles and are subject to increased regulation. The ATF’s changed definition of the word “rifle” now subjects AR and AK carbine pistols with an attached pistol stabilizing brace to heinous NFA regulation.
This new ATF rule stands in stark contrast to their own position in 2014. In a letter dated March 5, 2014, the ATF Firearms Technology Branch (FTB) determined that pistols equipped with a stabilizing device would not be reclassified as short-barreled rifles, even when fired from the shoulder.
What gun owners need to know
With this new regulation, millions of law-abiding gun owners will be in violation of federal law due to the changed interpretation by the ATF. No new law has been passed by Congress, yet millions of law-abiding citizens have been put in legal jeopardy overnight by the Federal government.
Our founding fathers are certainly rolling in their graves…
The new rule is set to go into effect as soon as it is officially published in the Federal Registrar (this has not happened as of January 17). Once published, people in possession of short-barrelled rifles, as newly defined, will have 120 days to comply with the rule.
According to the new rule, gun owners will have several outlandish options to ensure they’re in compliance with their Federal overreach:
- Attach a 16-inch or longer barrel to the firearm.
- Submit an Application to Make and Register a Firearm (ATF Form 1).
- Permanently remove and dispose of, or alter, the “stabilizing brace” such that it cannot be reattached.
- Turn the firearm in to your local ATF office.
- Destroy the firearm.
What can we do to Protect our Rights?
Big Daddy Unlimited vehemently opposes all forms of gun control and Second Amendment infringements. The right to defend oneself and their loved ones is a God-given right. We believe that it is our duty to use our God-given time, treasure, and talent to protect this right for our families, our Members, and our country.
We encourage you to reach out to your legislators and let them know that you expect them to fight all forms of infringement against the U.S. Constitution, especially against the Second Amendment. Specifically, urge them to use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to sign a Joint Resolution of Disapproval to disapprove and repeal this unconstitutional act by the ATF.
As of January 13, a House bill has been proposed called the Protecting Individual Sovereignty Through Our Laws (PISTOL) Act. Please encourage your congressman or woman to support this piece of legislation and protect our rights.
It is important to reach out directly to your representatives to have the most impact as sometimes pre-written group letters are filtered away from the representatives’ offices by spam filters. You can reach out directly to your representative’s office through the House of Representatives “Find Your Representative” portal.
Gun Owners of America (GOA) has created an online form for patriots to add their names to a pre-written letter urging House Representatives and Senators to repeal the pistol brace ban. They have also announced that they will be filing a lawsuit against the ATF and are accepting contributions to their sister organization, Gun Foundation, to help with legal fees. GOA does a fantastic job advocating for our rights and we are proud to support their initiatives and encourage you to do so as well.
We are committed to fighting all forms of infringement against your Second Amendment rights.
Please join us in this fight by exercising your Second Amendment rights, contacting your representatives, and voicing your opposition to all forms of gun control and infringements against our constitutional freedoms.
Big Daddy Unlimited advocates strongly for Second Amendment rights because we believe that the right to keep and bear arms exists to protect all of the other God-given rights of American citizens. Become a member today to join our community of freedom-loving Americans, and let’s work together to support and defend our Second Amendment rights.
