June 02, 2023

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Gun News

Federal restrictions on pistol braces starts June 1

A new set of rules from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have just given millions of Americans a choice: Register their braced guns with the federal government, detach and destroy the devices, relinquish them to authorities, or risk federal firearms charges starting June 1.

The regulatory changes, pushed by the Biden Administration, redefined short-barreled rifles to include guns with pistol braces. And that means increased ownership requirements for guns with these accessories.

Attorney General Merrick Garland called the change a common-sense response for an accessory popular with mass shooters, including the man who killed nine people in Dayton. But gun rights groups say demanding gun owners modify or register weapons they purchased legally violates the Second Amendment.

What is a pistol/stabilizing brace?

Stabilizing braces are accessories that attach to the back of a firearm, lengthening it and allowing it to be strapped to the forearm so shooters can pull the trigger one-handed. They were initially designed to help injured veterans shoot independently but have become popular with gun owners because they make it easier to shoot more accurately.

According to the Biden Administration, the devices turn handguns into short-barreled rifles because they have buttstocks shooters can brace against their shoulders.

And short-barreled rifles have been closely monitored since the 1930s "because they are more easily concealable than long-barreled rifles but have more destructive power than traditional handguns."

The National Firearms Act requires owners of these weapons to pay a $200 stamp tax, submit fingerprints and a photo to the ATF, and notify authorities whenever the owner wants to take the firearm across state lines.

Why are the regulations changing now?

When pistol braces started becoming popular with mainstream gun owners, the ATF initially decided not to classify guns with these accessories as short-barreled rifles.

But a handful of them found their way into the hands of mass shooters. That list includes the man who killed 10 people in a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado. The recent shooting at the religious school in Nashville. And the 2019 shooting in Dayton's entertainment district.

Regardless of whether the federal government should regulate guns with pistol braces, the new ATF rule is going into effect. And the holds put in place by federal judges have, so far, only applied to those challenging the rule's constitutionality.

That means owners who haven't removed or registered their braces by Thursday could face up to 10 years in prison or $10,000 in fines or both.

Featured Firearm

Civil War Maynard Carbine

In the 1800s Dr. Edward Maynard listed his principal occupation as "dentist". Today, however, he is best known for his achievements in firearm development. His first important patent, the Maynard tape primer, was achieved in 1845. This ingenious invention consisted of a small, laminated paper coil in which was embedded, at regular intervals, dots of mercury fulminate. In arms designed for its use, it was possible, by merely cocking the hammer, to automatically advance a primer on top of a nipple and thus eliminate the awkwardness of having to individually handle small percussion caps. The Maynard carbine was used by cavalry in the American Civil War. The First Model was manufactured between 1858 and 1859. About 5,000 were made. The Second Model or Model 1863 was manufactured between 1863 and 1865. Over 20,000 were made. This model lacked the tape primer and stock patch box, and was used by the 9th and 11th Indiana cavalry regiments and 11th Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, among others. The Maynard had a good reputation for long-range accuracy, and Confederate sharpshooters made extensive use of it, especially during the Siege of Charleston.

Did you know?

The Origins of American Gun Culture

Americans love their guns, but is it something special about the people or the culture? A look at history provides the answer. Most countries with gun cultures trace theirs back to a need for an armed and trained populace in times of war, but as much as Americans may claim theirs to be the same, that is not technically true.

Click here to watch the video.


Thanks for reading,

The Editor

P.S. Did you miss an issue? You can read every issue from the Gophercentral library of newsletters on our exhaustive archives page. Thousands of issues, all of your favorite publications in chronological order. You can read AND comment. Just click GopherArchives