What’s the Biden admin’s pistol brace rule and who’s opposing it?

GOP and Gun Rights Supporters Fight Back Against Biden’s Pistol Brace Rule

President Joe Biden’s pistol brace rule has sparked a congressional and legal battle as the GOP and gun rights supporters fight back against what they claim is an infringement on Second Amendment rights.

Last week, GOP legislation to repeal Biden’s pistol brace rule was at the center of a House GOP leadership revolt against Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). However, the freeze on legislative business thawed Tuesday with the passage of legislation authored by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA).

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So, what is the pistol brace ban? The rule, finalized by the ATF in January, categorizes pistols with stabilizing braces as heavily regulated short-barreled rifles due to their accuracy and concealability. It was one of several gun control strategies that the Biden administration rolled out in response to the Boulder, Colorado, grocery store shooting in 2021.

The rule requires those with firearms equipped with stabilizing braces to complete government registration by May 31. If they do not, they could face up to 10 years in prison or a $10,000 fine, according to the ATF.

Legal Challenges to the Pistol Brace Ban

Gun owners and Second Amendment groups are challenging the ATF rule, with the Firearms Policy Coalition deeming the rule “onerous and unconstitutional.” Biden’s regulation was temporarily blocked by a federal judge in Texas, who granted a preliminary injunction, stopping the ATF from enforcing the order.

In late May, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit temporarily blocked the Biden administration from fully implementing the new stabilizing brace regulations. Biden has argued the accessories are “especially dangerous” due to their use in several mass shootings.

Congressional Response to the ATF Brace Rule

Republicans have been sharply critical of the rule since its inception. While the rule is being challenged at the legal level, House GOP members have taken steps to overturn it. Clyde sponsored the resolution seeking to roll back the ATF’s rule in March, calling the pistol brace rule “unconstitutional.”

On Monday, the House Rules Committee combined the rule on the gas stoves bill with three other bills, including Clyde’s pistol brace bill. Clyde’s bill passed on the House floor in a 219-210 vote on Tuesday.

Dozens of sheriffs called on Congress to reject the pistol brace rule in a letter sent Monday, asking members to pass Clyde’s resolution and “preserve the Second Amendment rights of the people.” However, Biden said he would veto the GOP-led resolution to overturn his pistol brace rule if it came to his desk.

In Conclusion

The fate of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives rule remains uncertain as the legal and congressional battles continue. Stay tuned for updates on this controversial issue.

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