That was because there were two rumors going around when the final rule was released by the ATF, one said that any imported pistol that had a brace attached was now an SBR and was in violation of 922(r) and the only cure was to destroy the firearm. A LOT of people have $2,000 braced CZ Scorpion pistols, and they were freaking out.
Is it 4 million or 40 million potentially affected parties? Either way, the ATF and courts don't have the bandwidth to deal with this level of stupidity from ATF. Are there enough 2A competent lawyers to hire if you guess wrong?
I think that's part of the reason why the ATF created a special eForm 1 for this braced pistol campaign, so that those applications could be treated differently than a regular eForm 1 for a suppressor or 'normal' SBR application. In any case, the ATF in its rule said that as long as you filed under the deadline, you're not in jeopardy even if it takes 10 years to clear the backlog. What you cannot do until you receive your stamp is to transfer the braced pistol to anyone else, including a face-to-face transfer. Only the person who submitted the eForm 1 can possess it. Once the stamp is approved, the buyer must have an approved eForm in their hands before they can possess it.
I have one AR lower with a smooth, non-carbine buffer tube for use with pistol uppers. I don't own any braces. The ATF tax stamped SBRs have real rifle stocks.
If you already own SBRs, then you missed a once in a lifetime opportunity to get another one free of charge. Pity.
Does that include having an FFL store your firearm for the duration of the period between special e-form 1 and issuance of the tax stamp? If so, then that isn't a viable alternative to resolving being in possession of the newly designated SBR without the tax stamp.
If you already own SBRs, then you missed a once in a lifetime opportunity to get another one free of charge. Pity.
I already have the NFA trust and all parties have current photo/responsible person information filed. I don't really want another SBR, but another suppressor that handles 30 caliber is on my "want" list for the 300BLK SBR. I built it with a 10.5" barrel as optimum for 300BLK and just right with a suppressor attached. In recent weeks there has been discussion of feral hog problems in Montana and Wyoming. The 300BLK is ideal for hogs.