Free Republic

On August 9, 2024, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court on a case in which numerous states and private parties challenged the ATF’s “pistol-brace” regulatory decision which attempted to reclassify items that it had previously approved as non-NFA “pistols” to NFA short barrel rifles. See, Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition, Inc., et al v. Merrick Garland, et al, No. 23-3230 (8th Cir. August 9, 2024). The district court denied the request by the Plaintiffs for a preliminary injunction when the court concluded that the Plaintiffs were unlikely to succeed on the merits – that is, the trial...

WASHINGTON –U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) introduced the ATF Accountability Act, which would provide transparency to gun owners across America on rules made by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The ATF engages in a secretive classification review process where the agency decides whether a particular firearm is regulated by the National Firearms Act and refuses to make final public rules regarding classification. The ATF’s lack of transparency creates significant uncertainty for both gun-owning Americans and firearm manufacturers. “The ATF’s ability to designate firearms behind closed doors puts law abiding...

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) has leaked a notice set to be published in the federal register today that purports to provide guidance to gun owners on whether the addition of a stabilizing brace transforms a pistol into an NFA-regulated short-barreled rifle (SBR). The proposed new rule comes after the ATF reversed their position on stabilizing braces in October, telling gun company Q, Inc., that their “Honey Badger” pistol would be considered an SBR while fitted with a brace. After an uproar from gun owners and manufacturers, the agency promised to clarify their ruling. According to today’s...