Point and Shoot I Know Just What You Mean
Heard about the ATF taking on pistol braces just experience a lilliputian lost equally to what's going on?
With the sides contesting on and off for years, it can be like shooting fish in a barrel to feel overwhelmed and confused every bit to what'southward legal and where the ATF actually stands on braces.
Well, instead of making you scour the internet, we made things easy with a top-to-bottom look at pistol braces and the ATF.
Nosotros've pulled all the essential info together to walk you through the brace'southward humble beginnings, how AR pistols got involved, and the long-standing feud with the ATF over what y'all can (and can't do) with a brace.
Buckle up. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
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Disclaimer: Nosotros are not attorneys. As e'er, do your inquiry regarding state and local laws before owning a brace. As with anything regulatory, federal rules can change. If that happens, Pew Pew Tactical will update this page appropriately.
Get-go Things First: What is a Pistol Brace?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, allow's take a look at braces and get a solid understanding of what they are and how they differ from a buttstock.
A pistol caryatid, also known as a stabilizing brace, is an accessory that attaches to the rear of the gun and allows the firearm to be fired one-handed.
It basically slips around the forearm of the shooter and, using Velcro, secures to the arm. The goal is to stabilize the gun equally yous're firing.
It gained steam, especially among disabled shooters, because it immune them to command and burn AR and AK carbines safely.
In fact, the inventor of the brace, SB Tactical'south Alex Bosco, came upwards with the idea in 2012 subsequently shooting at a range with a disabled combat veteran and witnessing the struggles disabled shooters face.
Despite a sure cool gene, braces actually aid gun owners who struggle using full-length, shouldered rifles savour AR-way firearms comfortably.
Brace vs. Buttstock
What makes a caryatid different from a buttstock?
The disquisitional chemical element comes downwardly to how a brace and buttstock are used.
A buttstock fits confronting the shoulder, allowing for amend management of the rifle's recoil. But it is non secured to the shooter in any way.
As we mentioned earlier, a pistol caryatid uses Velcro to attach to the shooter'south forearm.
It provides stability while firing the AR pistol.
Pistol braces have opened up a world of accessories and options to gun owners who need a way to stabilize the AR pistol merely don't accept the ways or want to add a buttstock (or pay for the SBR classification…more on that in a minute.)
129
at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices authentic at time of writing
Understanding AR Pistols and SBRs
Again, earlier heading into the tangled legal battles surrounding the ATF and braces, we demand to make a pit end and discuss AR pistols.
Allow's face it, braces and AR pistols go together like PB&J.
And then, nosotros can't talk about one without spending a niggling fourth dimension diving into the other.
AR Pistols
Put just; an AR pistol is an AR-style firearm shrunk down to encounter the ATF's definition of a pistol.
Thank you to a chip of vagueness on the Gun Control Human activity's part, AR pistols are able to occupy a weird space betwixt pistols and short-barreled rifles.
As long as the firearm measures less than 26-inches in overall length and features a butt length of sixteen-inches or less AND exercise non come with a buttstock or vertical foregrip, they fall into the AR pistol realm.
1449
at Faxon Firearms
Prices authentic at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Merely to reiterate, an AR pistol cannot use a buttstock.
A brace, on the other hand, is an entirely unlike matter.
A 2014 letter by the ATF determined that adding a brace to an AR pistol would not motility it into SBR territory. A braced AR pistol would still be considered a pistol.
Now, that ruling would be called into question a few times, somewhen coming to a head in 2020, simply we're getting ahead of ourselves…
Brusk Barreled Rifles
While nosotros're on the topic of shorty firearms, nosotros should also discuss short-barreled rifles and how they differ from AR pistols. Honestly, they look very similar and it tin be confusing differentiating betwixt the ii.
By definition, an SBR, or brusk-barreled burglarize, is also a firearm with a barrel under sixteen-inches.
But there's ane major departure between an AR pistol and an SBR — the add-on of a buttstock.
Unlike an AR pistol, SBRs may sport a buttstock for shouldering. And this is where the ATF gets involved.
SBRs fall nether the National Firearms Act and are, therefore, regulated by the ATF.
To own, there's an entire ATF procedure a gun owner must go through first. This includes filling out paperwork, undergoing a background bank check, fingerprinting, and paying a $200 tax to the ATF.
After a waiting period, the gun owner eventually receives a tax stamp. That stamp allows for legal ownership of the SBR.
Waiting periods can be as short as a couple of months or as long equally a year, depending on the ATF's backlog.
Why an AR pistol over an SBR?
Basically, an AR pistol undergoes the exact same process as a regular gun buy.
You roll up to your local FFL to choose your model or buy online and transport to an FFL to handle the transfer.
Information technology's that like shooting fish in a barrel. No waiting periods, no $200 fee.
Braces can also be legally purchased as accessories and added to an existing AR pistol by the owner. Once again, there are no extra steps like yous'll see with an SBR buy.
And then at present that we have a good grasp on AR pistols and braces, let's explore the contentious relationship between braces and the ATF.
2021 Update: Braces vs ATF
In June 2021, the ATF struck once more. This time, the bureau aimed to redefine rifles, excluding AR pistols and braces from the definition. Instead, it would motion braced-AR pistols into short-barreled rifle territory.
The Department of Justice said the reclassification would "analyze when these attached accessories [braces] convert pistols into weapons covered by these heightened regulations [the NFA]."
To accomplish this, the ATF proposed a points system to help gun owners determine whether their builds fell into SBR territory and would, therefore, be swept under the National Firearms Act. (Remember, an NFA designation ways longer wait times, more paperwork, and a $200 tax stamp fee.)
Points System
So, what's involved in this new signal system exactly?
The new organization starts by requiring the firearm in question to at least weigh 64-ounces with an overall length between 12- and 26-inches.
This starting signal ensures you're working with at to the lowest degree a non-NFA firearm in the starting time identify — because if information technology's an NFA firearm under some other category, then y'all demand to apply for a taxation stamp regardless.
Later making sure yous don't already accept an NFA item, the checklist goes through other features.
1 to look to see is whether the attached brace is intended to be fired from the shoulder. The idea beingness that if the brace essentially makes the pistol act like a rifle, and so it should be considered an SBR instead of a pistol with a caryatid on it.
Fifty-fifty portions of the caryatid like the "rear surface area" are assigned points, to determine if in that location is sufficient surface area on the rear to exist used on the shoulder.
The rules unfortunately don't seem to provide any definitive measurements on what is considered "minimal" expanse or fifty-fifty what amount of surface expanse differentiates between the points being assigned to each "minimal" versus a "large corporeality of surface area."
This ambiguity could potentially requite lots of leeway to the ATF to arbitrarily decide that the brace is to be considered a stock, and the pistol is actually an SBR.
The checklist also goes through the different types of stabilizing support, assigning points to support systems including the counterbalance, fin-type, and cuff-blazon braces.
If going through the checklist results in too many points total, you lose the game. Your pistol with the stabilizing caryatid would fall under SBR territory.
To go a handle on how difficult this points organization tin can be, check out this fantastic video from Guns.com writers Ben Philippi and Chris Eger as they try to determine whether their AR pistols are legal nether the proposed rules.
What Happens if the Proposed Regulations are Approved?
Should the proposed regulations win favor and pass, gun owners would see a few things happen.
Under the new points arrangement, y'all would have a few options if your firearm fell into SBR territory.
- Permanently remove the stabilizing brace then information technology cannot exist reattached, and convert the firearm back to a pistol;
- Change the barrel to be sixteen-inches or longer;
- Destroy the firearm;
- Turn the firearm in to the ATF; or
- Use for a tax stamp on the SBR.
And then basically your options are to have a pistol, take a rifle, or apply for a tax postage stamp on the (at present) SBR. Lame.
Fight the Regulations
2A advocates immediately spoke out confronting these policies with the Firearm Policy Coalition's Senior Director of Legal Operations Adam Kraut saying FPC, "stands set to defend the People, human liberty, and personal property in this dominion-making procedure and, if necessary, in court."
FPC besides launched a Save the Braces entrada to fight against the proposed regulation.
Then, what can you do to stop this?
Every bit with the ATF'south proposed regulations for frames and receivers (a.1000.a. an attack on 80% kits), let your voice be heard!
The ATF's proposals have been published in the Federal Registrar, meaning Americans can brand their opinions known by commenting.
To submit a comment against the proposed rule change, head Hither.
A few things to remember when commenting
- Read all instructions carefully. You don't want your comment thrown out.
- Make your comment unique — no copy and paste. Nosotros desire our unique voices heard and considered!
- No profanity or obscenity. Keep it clean.
- Also, if yous commented on the December. 2020 proposal, you need to annotate again. Previous comments will not be considered.
- Finally, get your friends, family, and swain 2A advocates involved! Ask them to submit a comment and tell a friend!
The deadline to submit comments is September 08, 2021, at xi:59 p.m. ET , and so have them in by that time.
Where the Drama All Began
At the middle of the brace debate rests SB Tactical – inventor and makers of the most pop pistol braces.
From AR to AK pistols, SB Tactical has supplied the industry with a bevy of braces for several years.
120
at Brownells
Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Founded in 2012, the company did its due diligence asking the ATF for input on the caryatid pattern before launch.
The ATF initially cleared the device, stating that "the submitted brace, when attached to a firearm, does not convert that weapon to be fired from the shoulder and would not alter the classification of a pistol or other firearm."
By 2013, SB Tactical had partnered with Sig Sauer and Century Artillery in sectional sales agreements for the SB15 and SB47 braces. By May, the first Pistol Stabilizing Braces were hit the firearms marketplace.
1578
at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
The ability to lend control and stability to AR pistols made braces a popular accessory.
Given the blueprint, some users soon took to shouldering the brace, which led to confusion as to whether this moved the AR pistol into SBR territory.
Check out Johnny B wield a few AR-fifteen braces beneath.
2014: Shoulder that Brace, Says the ATF
In 2014, the ATF clarified that even when shouldered, a braced AR pistol did not constitute an SBR. An AR pistol was an AR pistol despite how the shooter used the brace.
It was all smooth sailing, or and so it seemed…
2015: The ATF Changes Course
Just before SHOT Show 2015, the ATF published a letter of the alphabet reversing its 2014 stance on braces.
In the decision, the Bureau clarified that braces were not designed for shouldering, and to do and then would create an SBR, non an AR pistol.
This caused a myriad of confusion every bit it contradicted the earlier 2014 determination by the agency.
Ultimately, Sig Sauer and SB Tactical waged a 2-year battle with the ATF, for description on the sudden about-face.
2017: ATF Backs 2014 Ruling
Afterwards fighting with SB Tactical and Sig Sauer for a couple of years, the ATF would ultimately back downwards and modify direction…over again.
In 2017, the Agency reverted to its previously held belief that firing a pistol brace from the shoulder does non reclassify the gun.
The issue seemed to be at rest, but gun owners were even so feeling uneasy…
If the ATF could alter its mind so chop-chop, what would stop the bureau from flipping once again?
Q and the Honeybadger
After a few years, it looked like the brace debate was finally put to bed; merely in a startling twist of fate, the ATF reignited the brace debate in 2020.
Taking the form of a legal battle between Q's Honeybadger and the ATF, braces entered the limelight again in Baronial.
On August 3, 2020, gun maker Q received a cease-and-desist letter from the bureau regarding its Honeybadger AR pistol.
The lodge indicated that the Honeybadger, in large part due to the SB Tactical pistol brace, was an SBR – not an AR pistol. Therefore, it brutal nether the NFA, and all owners would need to register with the ATF.
This decision effectively turned Honeybadger owners into violators of the NFA overnight.
Q moved swiftly, encouraging owners to disassemble the Honeybadger or register information technology with the ATF (which they offered to pay the $200 fee for).
Meanwhile, the visitor took the ATF on, asking for clarification on the matter.
Things began heating up as gun owners protested the ATF decision, and it wasn't long until the Department of Justice stepped in.
Later on calls to senators and pressure from citizens, the DOJ chosen for a lx-mean solar day hold, pushing an official ruling until after the November 2020 presidential elections.
Gun owners held their breath and waited…
ATF Proposals…and Withdraws
Two months passed with radio silence from the ATF until, in mid-Dec, a new proposal published in the Federal Registrar.
The 16-page certificate addressed AR pistols/braces offering "proposed guidance" on classifying weapons with stabilizing braces.
The ATF gave citizens just 17 days to make their opinions known via online, public comments.
Backfire was firsthand. Inside days, comments totaled over sixty,000 – mainly in opposition to the proposal.
By December 22, Congress jumped into the fray with 90 House members publishing a alphabetic character to the ATF rejecting the proposal.
The letter stated, "This conclusion is alarming and jeopardizes law-abiding gun owners across the country."
Information technology went on to suggest that the proposal was "ambiguous" and "subjective." Many of the feelings echoed by the gun community.
Equally gun owners clamored to fight the bureau's proposal reclassifying braced AR pistols, they were in for yet some other surprise.
On December 23, 2020, less than a week after the proposal's unveiling, the Department of Justice reversed grade and promptly withdrew the proposal.
Though it's of import to note, the proposal is still "pending further review" meaning that it could resurface at a later date.
Determination
And then, where does this get out brace and AR pistol owners? For now, information technology's wait-and-see.
With the ATF taking upwards arms confronting braces and AR pistols in 2021, it's up to gun owners to make their voices heard and decline this potential reclassification.
If you lot're a current brace possessor or just an American who loves guns, brand sure to exit a comment on the ATF's proposed regulations here and allow them know what you lot recall.
120
at Brownells
Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Again, for more than information on how to salve braces, cheque out the FPC's Save the Braces.
Should braces fall under the NFA or should they exist a legal accessory? Sound off in the comments below. In the concurrently, cheque out our roundup of the Best AR-15 & AK Braces.
PPT writer Paul Yen contributed to this story.
Source: https://www.pewpewtactical.com/pistol-braces-and-the-atf/
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