Staff Reports
A group of advocates who support the Second Amendment have slowed down a plan by the Biden administration to punish millions of gun owners. They are urging the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to completely drop its controversial plans to target AR-style “pistols.” In a legal filing, the advocates are confident that they will ultimately succeed in their efforts against the ATF. They are calling on the agency to give up its attempt to reclassify the firearms as regulated and taxed guns.
The Second Amendment Foundation Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb mentioned that the government’s decision to appeal the case despite their previous victory indicates its refusal to acknowledge the court’s earlier ruling. The group, along with two others, is fighting the ATF’s attempt to change its longstanding policy of not regulating AR-style pistols equipped with arm braces that assist handicapped and unsteady shooters.
ATF urged to ‘back away’ from gun grab threat https://t.co/KCSEY6vcdJ via @dcexaminer
— NoMorningJoeFan ?? (@MorningJoeFan) May 16, 2024
After President Joe Biden took office, the ATF sought to discard its old policy and assert that the pistols should be classified as highly regulated and taxed rifles. This could potentially turn 7-10 million owners of these guns into criminals overnight. Recent legal cases have found that guns in “common” use are generally free from regulation. The Second Amendment Foundation argued that the widespread use of up to 10 million AR-style pistols indicates that they are indeed “common.”
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans recently ruled in favor of the Second Amendment Foundation. The ATF appealed this decision, leading the foundation to seek a new ruling endorsing the original one to set aside the ATF policy. This challenge, along with other similar cases across the country, is likely to reach the U.S. Supreme Court and could have an impact on the upcoming presidential election.
Former President Donald Trump has indicated that he opposes the ATF rule. He plans to speak at the National Rifle Association convention, which is also challenging the ATF’s new regulation, and is expected to receive the group’s endorsement once again.
