Posted on 08/09/2026 6:57:10 AM PDT by MtnClimber
The Second Amendment is a bit less of a second-class right--maybe...
hat are commonly called “braced” pistols but are actually short-barreled rifles—SBRs—are legal, or they’re not, until they’re legal again, until they’re not. Quick: is this an illegal short-barreled rifle?
Graphic: Author
That’s the problem, isn’t it? Braced pistols that are really SBRs are rifles—or pistol-caliber carbines--with barrels less than the federal 16” minimum, and stocks that make them shorter overall than the federal 26” minimum. No, that isn’t an SBR. It’s a KelTec CMR30, which is a legal rifle with a 16” barrel and is 29.9” long.
The law that restricts SBRs, suppressors, and automatic weapons is the 1934 National Firearms Act, written as a tax law that imposed a $200 non-transferable tax on those guns and suppressors. President Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill eliminated the tax component, which was the act’s only reason for existing, so it’s certainly unconstitutional. Yet to legally own an SBR, or suppressor—automatic weapons are another matter—one must submit fingerprints, fill out plenty of federal paperwork, and get permission first.
That’s why Americans have had to use the “braced pistol” camouflage to own an SBR. Braced pistols are legal; SBRs aren’t--sort of. A braced pistol has a shorter-than-normal stock—a “brace”--with a means—usually a Velcro strap—to affix the stock to a forearm. It all depends on the ATF’s whims. It’s an issue I addressed in March at my home blog. statelymcdanielmanor.wordpress.com/2026/03/25/is-it-safe-to-buy-a-pdw-sbr/
Under Biden, they were legal, then they weren’t, then they were legal again, and then people were getting prosecuted, then Trump became president, and they weren’t. But the NFA still exists, and a future ATF could decide they weren’t legal again, making millions of Americans instant felons for owning weapons perfectly legal the day before.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
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Yep.
SBR laws are stupid.
Less concealable and more accurate than handgun so that can’t be the reason they are illegal.
Not nearly as ideal as a SBS (shotgun).
What I own is mine and they can go romance themselves.
Couldn’t have said it any better myself.
Dispelling one myth - 12 gauge buck penetrates drywall every bit as much as 5.56. In fact, 5.56 is much more likely to fragment and dissipate its force. It doesn’t happen every time but it happens a lot.
It was my understanding that pistol braces were developed to help handicapped folks (including wounded warriors) use AR pistols - which were already legal - safely and effectively. Once ATF approved braced pistols, folks without handicaps wanted them. I do remember some outrage at the time, on various internet forums; it seemed to come primarily from people with registered SBRs, who had done their paperwork & paid their tax, and who were personally offended that others were getting similar firearms without jumping through the same bureaucratic hoops.
FWIW, I do not personally have any use for a brace - my AR pistol has a shortened buffer tube with a small rubber end cap. Entirely legal where I reside, and works fine for me. YMMV, depending on physical condition, 'mall ninja' tendencies, fed/state/local legal requirements, etc., etc...
;^)
just one of the inane regulations within the totality of the unconstitutional infringement of Americans’ constitutionally-reognized civil liberties
maybe a budget bill that shuts down both unconstitutional agencies/bureaus.......and the UnitedNazis?
it is long past time for us to clean house
I have the platform in two forms: the rifle and the pistol. Of course I prefer the rifle, and shouldering it.
The pistol is so I can buy short things and still have justified use case. When things change, I can move around between the two as necessary, I guess.
Yes and No.
The "pistol brace" was invented by Alex Bosco of SB Tactical as a favor to a fellow veteran who was physically unable to fire a conventional handgun owing to a service-connected disability. And Bosco sent samples of his proposed brace to ATF to get their read on them. And ATF said, "Yokay, an accessory doesn't alter the intrinsic nature of the weapon, so a braced pistol is still a pistol."
Done and dusted. Or it should have been. Then anti-gun politicos started meddling, and the clarity of the ruling got muddled. ATF was directed to change the ruling to "... it's still a pistol, unless it's shoulder-fired." Then they backtracked and said the intrinsic rule stands because a pistol is still a pistol EVEN IF it's shoulder-fired. And now it's as clear as mud.
So there's no doubt the vast majority of brace owners don't NEED it's special functionality, they just WANT an SBR without the registration hassles. But they're not the problem. The problem is external pressure forcing the ATF to Gerrymander the regulations into something based on politics rather than common sense reading of the law.
Never shall I say a fellow gun owner is a problem.
Allow me to state once and for all: I didn’t care about a constitution or government rules. I have, and you have, a natural right to defend yourself any way that you see fit. I’m with Ted Nugent on this.
The atf is a corrupt criminal organization and every state law just begin where the Constitution ends, and can not supercede the federal constitution. Period.
The government is 100% in the wrong here and the idea that we should justify such a thing as how we defend ourselves is nonsense.
It’s nonsense that nonetheless we have to address. I’m angry about that.
The Constitution gives Congress the ability to call up a militia. The amendment answers “how?” The second amendment adds to the congressional ability to call up a militia by telling the Congress it must keep us regulated (in good working order.. like “regulator” and “regulated” clocks of yesteryear). The Congress must give us weapons must maintain our weapons and must provide routine and regular training.
They are derelict in their constitutionally appointmented duty. They failed not us.
“What I own is mine and they can go romance themselves.”
Classic!
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