The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is about to enforce a new regulation that will prohibit the possession of unregistered pistol braces, a widely used plastic device meant to stabilize firearms. This rule is set to take effect on June 1. These braces were initially developed in 2012 to assist disabled veterans to shoot firearms independently. Gun rights organizations are pressuring Republican leaders in the House of Representatives to arrange a vote that could block this impending rule. This situation may pose a challenging decision for Democratic representatives from pro-gun constituencies.
According to Fox:
President Biden has called the accessory “especially dangerous” after they were used in several mass shootings
The new rule requires gun owners to register their pistol braces with the ATF, destroy them, or remove the accessories from their weapons. Those that do not comply with the regulation by May 31 will be forced to pay a fee. The consequences for those that choose not to register their firearm with a stabilizing brace and keep it include up to 10 years’ imprisonment or $10,000 in fines or both, according to the ATF.
At least three million guns with stabilizing braces are in circulation in the U.S., according to the ATF. Estimates by the Congressional Research Service indicate there are currently between 10 million and 40 million stabilizing braces in circulation.
Earlier this year, Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., along with 188 Republican cosponsors, introduced a resolution disapproving of the rule under the U.S. code that dictates congressional oversight of agency rulemaking. The resolution was passed by the House Judiciary Committee, but has yet to be taken up by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for a full floor vote.
Gun organizations across the nation are pushing Republican lawmakers in Washington D.C. to push back against Biden’s restrictions.
