The rights of the American people are apparently under review, as President Biden informed the country just a few weeks ago. Between braces, 80% parts, and red flag laws, the deadlines were set urging the government to come out with clear statements about how they will treat such items in the future. Better said, how they will regulate the rights of the people. The ATF, or AFT depending on who you ask, has been hard at work and the documents regarding their decisions have hardly been kept behind closed doors. Docket No. ATF 2021R-05 is out in the wild and it sets its sights on firearms parts.
In its current form, the 107 page document aims to reconsider what the ATF considers a firearm, a gunsmith, and what it means for a firearm to be “complete.” Attached to the expected verbiage on reclassifying inanimate objects as something deemed too dangerous for other people to have, the document includes a proposal to change how the ATF tracks your data or the things you might want to own.
Starting with definitions, the proposed changes expand what the ATF considers to be a firearm, and thus extends the reach of their enforcement. The wording of the document asserts that the current definitions were written 50 years ago, in a time when revolvers were more popular, and that split-receiver handguns, as in, the semi-automatics well all use, were new on the scene. I guess 1911's have no longer been around for over 100 years. Something, something Two World Wars.
Clearly referring to privately made firearms as “Ghost Guns,” Doc ATF 2021-05 states that 23,906 of these were reported since 2016, as part of a crime. Since privately made firearms lack serial numbers, they are stated to be more difficult to track. At the same time, without serial numbers, it's hard for the government to know which unit went missing from the arms room.
The item in question would be 80% receivers, and more specifically, when a single package can be ordered with all the parts needed to complete a firearm. The new proposal would require those selling 80% kits to treat them as firearms, and go through the process of operating under an FFL. Manufacturers of these parts kits will also have to be licensed as firearms manufacturers. In order to purchase a parts kit, the buyer will be required to undergo a 4473.
The act of defining a frame or receiver struggles through the difficult nature of rights infringement. The capriciousness rises to the surface when the hinge factor of whether or not a product is considered a firearm component bound by whether or not the ATF thinks it resembles a gun:
It follows on to acknowledge that the Gun Control Act did not formerly clarify at what point an object officially becomes a receiver or gun.
While the GCA and implementing regulations define a “firearm” to include the “frame or receiver,” neither delineates when a frame or receiver is created. The crucial inquiry, then, is the point at which an unregulated piece of metal, plastic, or other material becomes a regulated item under Federal law.
Docket No. ATF 2021R-05, Page 30, APR 2021.
Another term requesting further definition is readily, in regards to how readily a piece of material may be converted into a functional firearm. The factors considered are:
(a) time, i.e., how long it takes to finish the process;
Docket No. ATF 2021R-05, Page 32-33, APR 2021.
(b) ease, i.e., how difficult it is to do so;
(c) expertise, i.e., what knowledge and skills are required;
(d) equipment, i.e., what tools required;
(e) availability, i.e., whether additional parts are required, and how easily they can be obtained;
(f) expense, i.e., how much it costs;
(g) scope, i.e., the extent to which the subject of the process must be changed to finish it; and
(h) feasibility, i.e., whether the process would damage or destroy the subject of the process, or cause it to malfunction.
The new proposal would require the individual who builds a firearm to engrave a serial number within 7 days of completion. Manufacturers who sell kits that can be readily converted into operating firearms will be required to acquire their FFL to continue business.
The letter openly states that it acknowledges that some businesses will be hurt by this determination, but the industry as a whole will be less impacted.
The document is expected to go public in two weeks, in the early days of May, and will be followed by a 90-day time period where the public is able to comment. As with similar situations with the ATF, comments sent to the ATF must adhere to guidelines, which they provide as follows:
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this is utter BS
How does any of this deter a criminal from obtaining or using a firearm? Why not put serial numbers on criminals, perhaps on their foreheads so we can all be aware when they are around? Personal responsibility has to be enforced, and we need to start by making our legislators responsible for their actions.
A good argument for getting rid of the GCA.
LOL. I can't see why we need to listen to this administration who literally stole the Presidency.
Installed not elected.
Coming from a law enforcement family, I can already say that this will do nothing to keep criminals from getting this. As usual, it only hurts law abiding citizens. Law abiding citizens aren't the problem. Gun control laws that already exist are not enforced. Look at the Fed Ex Indiana shooter. He should NOT HAVE been able to get a rifle after his shotgun was seized. The local prosecutor dropped the ball.
Our founding fathers meant for the American People to institute a militia in order to protect the country and its people. No President should have the right to change that. Every breathing human knows that criminals do not get their firearms legally but through other avenues. Stop taking the rights away from the American people. Guns don't kill people. People kill people.
Well said !! Although I don’t believe the freaks that are doing these mass shootings are even actually felons . It’s my understanding their usually law abiding citizens that legally own the guns . Never the less I believe everyone should have at least a gun . Just in case you run into one of them crazies.
Freedom is a wonderful thing, but the reality is that if people are not willing to bleed for their freedom the oppressors will take it from them. Oppressors are evil creatures who demand absolute obedience or blood. Unfortunately very few Americans value their freedom enough to risk their blood.
Off the subject. Foolish democrat had the nerve to say that the cop should have fired his weapon in the air first before shooting the teenage knife assailant in most recent blm issue. Someone should tell her that eventually that round will come back down. Sure she never even held / fired any kind of firearm.
Just like Regan said freedom is only one generation away, you could loose it at anytime. Don't let it happen under our watch, time to man up. This administration is doing everything to change the country you grew up with, I don't even recognize it anymore. The only thing that's left is to take away your only way to fight back because communication has no longer been an option for good citizens that enjoy constitutional rights.
Just wondering when will be the time to physically take back the country? Doesn't seem like the gov is going to make a blanket statement that will tell folks when it's time to take up arms. Very few will be willing to stand up and lead the way, even fewer will actually follow due to being labeled as one of the "crazies".