Legislative Directors in the House of Representatives got the below email yesterday. HJ Res. 44 would express the Congress’s displeasure at the ATF’s abrupt about face on pistol braces with a de facto ban going into effect on May 31. Here’s the entire language of the resolution . . .
This joint resolution nullifies the rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives titled Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached “Stabilizing Braces” and published on January 31, 2023. The rule establishes criteria for determining whether a firearm equipped with an attached stabilizing brace that facilitates shoulder fire is a rifle subject to regulation (e.g., registration) under the National Firearms Act.
TTAG is told that, after some dithering, the National Association for Gun Rights and Gun Owners of America pushed the matter hard in recent days when it looked like the resolution wasn’t going to move to the floor as had been promised. That push resulted in the email below.
Those who know expect the resolution would pass if it does, in fact, get a vote in the House. That’s not nothing and would send a message to the ATF. If, on the Senate side, it manages to get to the floor via a discharge petition, it would only need 51 votes to pass. Yes those are a lot of ‘ifs’ and a Senate vote isn’t likely, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Also, Congress is in the budget process right now and it’s possible — though don’t bet on it — that, if they develop spines and play their cards right, Republicans could defund enforcement of the pistol brace rule…but that would really be drawing to an inside straight. Still, it’s worth keeping an eye on.
Meanwhile, in the courts, things are progressing, as we saw yesterday . . .
