Senate Democrats reject proposal to block Biden’s pistol brace rule.

The Senate Rejects Resolution on Pistol Braces

The Senate on Thursday delivered a blow to the Biden administration by voting against a Republican-backed joint resolution that disapproves of the new rule on pistol braces.

The resolution, initially supported by 182 Republican members of Congress, had previously passed the House with a mostly party-line vote of 219-210. However, it narrowly failed in the Senate by just one vote, with a final tally of 49-50.

The rule in question, finalized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in January, requires gun owners to register their AR-15-style pistols before June 1. This applies to pistols fitted with arm braces that could potentially allow firing from the shoulder, as they are now classified as short-barreled rifles regulated by the National Firearm Act.

Failure to comply with the regulation by the June 1 deadline can result in felony charges, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in jail or $10,000 in fines, or both, according to the ATF.

Opposition to the ATF rule has been strong among Republicans and Second Amendment advocacy groups. They argue that the regulation would criminalize millions of law-abiding Americans unless they navigate a burdensome and costly registration process or destroy the accessory they legally obtained.

During the Senate debate, Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) made a powerful statement by bringing a pistol brace to the floor to demonstrate its purpose. He emphasized that the device is primarily designed to assist individuals with disabilities, particularly handicapped military veterans, in better defending themselves.

“President Biden wants to outlaw as many as 40 million pistol braces in the United States,” Kennedy stated. “The vast majority of these braces are owned by law-abiding citizens.”

He further argued that a regulatory agency like the ATF does not possess the constitutional authority to unilaterally ban pistol braces without explicit approval from Congress.

Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) also condemned the regulation, describing it as an “u”