The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has proposed changes to the definition of a short-barreled rifle, which was signed by the US Attorney general on January 13, 2023. This change will have significant implications for gun owners across the United States once it goes into the federal register next week. The proposed changes would reclassify certain firearms, currently considered to be pistols, as short-barreled rifles, making them subject to tax and registration requirements that were not required when the firearm was originally purchased. You can read the ATF ruling here.
We reached out to Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon to see if Blount County would participate in enforcing this new rule and he said “We definitely will NOT be enforcing that garbage”. This is exactly what the majority of Blount Countians want to hear.
Currently, AR pistols are legal in most states. These are firearms that are chambered in common AR calibers such as .223 or 5.56. For years these have been allowed to have a “stabilizing brace” on them which makes them resemble a rifle and helps balance the weapon better. This rule changes the definition of a short-barrelled rifle making all of these legally purchased guns have a registration requirement and pay a $200 tax on each firearm.
Here are the options set out in the ruling.
- Remove the short barrel and exchange it for one that is longer than 16 inches, filing a Form 1.
- remove the brace. (Makes the firearm less stable and more dangerous to shoot.)
- Surrender the firearm to the ATF
- Destroy the firearm
One of the main reasons for this dissatisfaction is the perception that the ATF is overreaching in its enforcement of laws and regulations. Gun owners believe that the agency is too aggressive in its enforcement efforts and that this leads to unnecessary harassment and infringement of their rights.
This has led to confusion and uncertainty among gun owners, who may find themselves in violation of a law or regulation without even realizing it.
Additionally, some gun owners have criticized the ATF’s use of sting operations and other tactics that they believe are entrapment. They believe that these operations are designed to target law-abiding gun owners, rather than criminals who are likely to misuse firearms.
In conclusion, many gun owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the agency and its recent actions. They believe that the ATF is overreaching in its enforcement efforts, changing rules, and is using entrapment tactics.
Contact your representatives and let them know how you feel about this ruling.