Staff Reports
On Thursday, inventor of the pistol stabilizing brace, Alex Bosco, along with numerous House Republicans, took to the congressional stage to express their frustration over the Biden administration’s new rule regarding pistol braces. This new rule, which opposes over a decade of existing legislation, caused considerable unease among gun owners and enthusiasts who utilize the device to improve their safety while firing a firearm one-handedly.
.@RepThomasMassie: "The ATF's pistol brace rule – It requires gun owners who use stabilizing braces, not bump stocks, Mr. Ranking Member, to register their brace pistols, modify their weapons, or risk potential felony charges." pic.twitter.com/SJOqt6jA5L
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 10, 2023
Speaking at the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance and the House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs, Bosco expressed his concerns about the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) new stance on pistol braces, which has caused considerable anxiety amongst gun owners. Initially designed to offer a safer shooting experience for wounded veterans, the brace was soon utilized by millions of law-abiding citizens looking for a greater level of security when shooting larger calibers.
GOP moves to block Biden’s pistol brace rule: ‘Abuse of rule-making authority’ https://t.co/XHLHyFfbta
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 20, 2023
WATCH: Pistol brace inventor Alex Bosco testimony during today's ATF hearing.
"The rule should be seen for what it is: Circumvention of the legislative process." pic.twitter.com/WNZqk1s6m6
— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) March 23, 2023
🔥🔥🔥@RepDonaldsPress GRILLs Democrats’ witness on the Biden ATF acting unilaterally to turn millions of law-abiding citizens into felons overnight. pic.twitter.com/7vWT5iXNyk
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) March 23, 2023
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/U6od8PTB5T
— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) March 23, 2023
🔥🔥🔥@RepLuna and witness @AmySwearer explain how Democrat attacks on our #2A rights are ANTI-WOMAN. pic.twitter.com/Jf1BDIvLDD
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) March 23, 2023
The ATF allowed the brace for years, but this soon came to an end when President Biden replaced his predecessor. Not only is this a massive inconvenience, but it turns law-abiding citizens into felons unjustly. Bryon Donalds, a Republican from Florida, shares Bosco’s consternation, pointing out that the ATF’s rule bypasses the legislative process and essentially criminalizes 10 million Americans who are currently abiding by the law.
Further congressional Republicans criticized the ATF rule, pointing out the absence of a bill in Congress for such a restriction. The ATF has made hasty decisions, insinuated Jim Jordan, another Republican representative from Ohio, disallowing manufacturers time to reconsider the devices’ usability.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida shared her own personal agonies while emphasizing that the Democrats’ attempts to circumvent the Second Amendment attack women’s rights. In addition, their stance on child safety appears hypocritical when considering their stance on abortion. She held up harrowing images of aborted children, emphasizing that gun owners don’t receive the same sympathy and protection as women seeking abortions.
This week, Fox News reported that the rule, which took effect on Jan. 31, will require gun owners to register pistols with stabilizing braces with the government, turn over the guns or face up to ten years in jail and thousands of dollars fines. This is unacceptable, argued Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, and an abuse of the rule-making authority, nothing but a rash attempt to advance President Biden’s ultimate goal of an unarmed America. Congressional Republicans plan to introduce a Congressional Review Act resolution to nullify the rule. Congress needs to act promptly to block the ATF’s unconstitutional pistol brace rule, he added.
