Often times the threat of encroaching gun control, for most Americans, feels like something far outside of their control. As politicians attack human rights with the stroke of a pen, and bureaucrats build institutions and write policy without recourse for this it effects, it's easy to give into pessimism and become disenfranchised by the government supposedly built on the maxim that they are beholden to the will of the governed.

At this moment, however, that is not the case. Each and every one of us, as individual citizens, have the opportunity to fight back, with deliberate action. Here is how you, specifically, can act against increasing government overreach. 

It didn't start with Q LLC, and it's not going to end in darkness. Whispers between friends, and shouts of protest have alarmed hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Americans of what is being proposed by the ATF. Incase we were waiting for more definite evidence, the DOJ has officially published this document titled Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with “Stabilizing Braces” on December 18th, 2020.  In summary: The ATF is attempting to specifically classify firearms with Pistol Stabilizing Braces as possibly being regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) and Gun Control Act (GCA). While it is not stated openly what that would mean, it is reasonable to understand this as a form of re-defining braced pistols as either a Short Barrel Rifle (SBR) or Any Other Weapon (AOW) both of which are heavily scrutinized, accrue additional costs on behalf of the buyer, and most pressing, include registration as part of purchasing. The method of evaluating a firearm as whether or not they fall under the NFA or GCA, as stated in the document, is by “objective design features.” These include caliber, weight and length, length of pull, attachment method, aim point, secondary grip, sights and scope, and the opaque category of peripheral accessories. The document is straight forward about also saying that the way a firearm is marketed will also influence a decision. The result of classifying Braced Pistols as NFA items will be a registry. The direct quote:

“Consequently, following issuance of this notice, ATF and DOJ plan to implement a separate process by which current possessors of affected stabilizer-equipped firearms may choose to register such firearms to be compliant with the NFA. As part of that process, ATF plans to expedite processing of these applications, and ATF has been informed that the Attorney General plans retroactively to exempt such firearms from the collection of NFA taxes if they were made or acquired, prior to the publication of this notice, in good faith. This separate process may include the following options: registering the firearm in compliance with the NFA (described above), permanently removing the stabilizing brace from the firearm and disposing of it, replacing the barrel of the firearm (16” or greater for a rifle, or 18” or greater for a shotgun), surrendering the firearm to ATF, or destroying the firearm. ” – Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with “Stabilizing Braces”, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives, Page 11: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-27857.pdf

So, if this goes into effect, destroy your property, or comply. If you're looking for a back-door firearms registry. Here you have it, in the buff.  

There are no consequences for action

There will be consequences for inaction.

  The letter includes an opportunity for people to contact them, digitally or on paper. This is where Americans have the advantage. The ATF is accepting comments, and is bound by law to respond. Let us make this clear. If follow the guidelines and submit a comment on the proposed classification, the ATF must take the time to respond. That means this is our chance to make it clear that the reclassification of Braced Pistols as NFA items is not only moving in the wrong direction, but that a firearms registration is unacceptable. Millions of Americans have Pistols with Stabilizing Braces, and if they are not aware of this, now's the time to put away any uncertainty and get them involved. Sharing this article is what it takes to win the first skirmish.  Time is short, and the gate will not be open for long. If each owner of a brace, or someone considering purchasing a braced pistol volunteers to contact the ATF in the method directed, this can be stopped, if not by our voices, than by the very weakness of the ATF: bureaucracy. The gears of gun control can by halted by the actions of the many, and the wrench thrown into the system is your voice.  The three ways you can submit your comments are directed as follows:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: ATF recommends that you submit your comments to ATF via the Federal eRulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions. Comments will be posted within a few days of being submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are being processed simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to several weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that is provided after you have successfully uploaded your comment.
• Mail: Send written comments to:

Office of Regulatory Affairs, Enforcement Programs and Services, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 99 New York Ave. NE, Mail Stop 6N518, Washington DC 20226; ATTN: ATF 2020R-10.

• Written comments must appear in minimum 12-point font size (.17 inches), include the commenter’s first and last name and full mailing address, be signed, and may be of any length.
• Facsimile: Submit comments by facsimile transmission to (202) 648-9741. Faxed comments must:
  • 1. Be legible and appear in minimum 12-point font size (.17 inches);
  • 2. Be 8 ½” x 11” paper;
  • 3. Be signed and contain the commenter’s complete first and last name and full mailing address; and
  • 4. Be no more than five pages long.

It is advised that you read the original document published by the ATF before submitting your comments, so that it will be maximally effective.

The Brace Debacle Saga

• Right before Shot Show 2015, the ATF announced this ruling.
• Sig Braces, ATF Rulings, and the Inimicable Mr. Kingery.
• Reason Prevails: The ATF Reverses Its Position on SB Tactical Braces.
• Q LLC vs the ATF: The Writing on the Wall.
• Brace Yourself: the creature returns in 2020.

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