(RepublicanView.org) – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) had its rule regulating pistol braces overturned by a Texas federal judge.
Reed O’Connor, a US district judge, made the decision on June 13. He said the rule was passed in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act since it didn’t serve as a “logical outgrowth” in a 12-page document outlining his ruling. He also said it was “arbitrary” and lacked justification.
The rule treated the vast majority of pistols that were attached to the braces as rifles, thus subjecting them to a whole new host of government restrictions. That would include longer wait times to purchase the device, registering the device with the government, and a $200 payment. Anyone who violated the rule would face a felony charge, a $10,000 fine, and up to ten years behind bars.
Pistol bracers were originally intended to help disabled shooters improve their accuracy according to reports. It also assisted shooters with improving their accuracy with pistols when shooting long-distance targets. The shooter can brace the device against their shoulder, allowing them to fire the pistol in a similar manner to a rifle.
The ATF initially proposed controversial restrictions on the device in 2020, leading an intense legal fight between the federal agency and Second Amendment enthusiasts. The Firearms Policy Coalition and Maxim Defense both filed lawsuits against the rule. Brandon Combs, who serves as the FPC’s president, accused the ATF of unlawfully attempting to turn millions of firearm owners into felons. He also indicated that he expects the recent ruling to be appealed by both the ATF and Department of Justice and promised to take the fight up to the US Supreme Court if necessary.
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