ATF Says ALL Braced Pistols Are SBRs, In Violation Of The Law
In a Dec. 20th letter to a GOA member, the ATF’s Firearms Industry Programs Branch (FIPB) took the position that any pistol with a stabilizing brace attached is considered to be an NFA item under federal law.
This is concerning, as ATF is explicitly prohibited from enforcing its “Final Rule” on stabilizing braces by three different federal courts.
Not only that, but this letter to our member would be the first time on record that ATF has taken a position contrary to the rulings in those courts.
Here is the Original letter Sent
Here’s What The ATF said In The Letter To The Owner
Thank you for your recent inquiry to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This is in response to your email, in
which you inquired about stabilizing braces. In your message, you
stated you recently purchased a CZ Scorpion Mini+ pistol and are
considering installing a pistol brace. You then stated that you’ve
encountered conflicting information regarding whether this modification
would require the firearm to be registered as an SBR and asked for
clarification on this topic.Federal law requires a pistol with an attached stabilizing brace or stock
be registered as a short barreled rifle (SBR).As you may be aware, Final Rule 2021-08F has amended the definition
of “rifle” and states clearly that the term “designed, redesigned, made or
remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder” includes a weapon
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, provided other factors
(as described in the rule) indicate the weap
GOA responded With This Email Asking For Verification
There has yet to be an update to this story, but we will be watching it for future updates