At this time, we will no longer be able to sell/fulfill orders for any braced pistols. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Braces, Buttstocks, & Bans
02/01/2023
AR Pistols and the future
As many of you are already aware as you have been following the news recently, starting today (1/31/2023) Stabilizing braces will no longer be a viable option for your AR pistols. The ruling has come with much backlash (rightfully so) from gun owners in America and ordinary people who support the 2nd Amendment. I will go over the highlight points from the alphabet boys themselves (ATF).
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer nor am responsible for anyone else’s decisions. These are my opinions and only reflect as such.
What:
Any rifle with a barrel under 16” will need to be registered with the ATF as a “Short Barreled Rifle (SBR)” OR have any butt stock/brace removed to just expose the buffer tube.
When:
Starting today 1/31/2023, anybody with a buttstock or brace remaining on their rifle with a barrel under 16” will need to register their rifle as an SBR.
Individuals with existing AR pistols & braces have until May 31st, 2023, to register their firearm as a
SBR. This grace period allows for the forbearance of the $200 tax that is required to submit the form required to complete your process of owning/obtaining an NFA item (Silencers & SBR’s).
Main points:
The biggest point from the ATF is shouldering a rifle with a barrel under 16” that is NOT registered as an SBR.
-Stabilizing braces are considered an accessory therefore are legally OK to own if they are not on or stored near any rifle that can accept them (with a barrel shorter than 16”).
-FFL’s may no longer sell rifles with pistol braces attached. This means you cannot buy or transfer a pistol braced rifle (under 16”).
-You may keep your brace on your firearm while you are awaiting approval of your Form 1 as long as you keep your copy of the submitted Form 1.
-Any firearm that requires the use of the buffer system may keep the buffer system on without a brace/stock. You MAY NOT shoulder the buffer tube. Any firearm that has a barrel under 16” cannot be shouldered without being a SBR registered with the ATF.
-Rifles with barrels under 16” with no buttstock or brace are legal and can be purchased and sold as such. (The attachment of anything to the buffer that would allow the user to shoulder the firearm would be illegal)
What this means for the future:
When pistol braces were first introduced, the ATF went back and forth with the legality of the concept. Pistol braces were originally marketed to be braced from the shooters arm. Braces have a design which allows the brace to be shouldered, thus upsetting the ATF. The ATF eventually ruled that shouldering your brace was legal and not an issue. Due to recent events in this country, there has been more outcry about gun control/reform. Unfortunately, something like this was bound to happen and pistol braces were an easy target.
For now, rifles with barrels shorter than 16” will need to be shot with only the buffer tube, or registered as an SBR. Innovators will always find a way to create something that the everyday gun owner can use. This is just the beginning of a long battle for our rights. There are already appeals over this ruling that we are waiting on hearing from.
America was founded on the use of firearms, especially by ordinary people like you and me, who fought for this country to become independent. This right is not just a sentence written on a piece of paper, but our identity of this country, like it or not.
This is a time where all firearm owners need to set an example. Continue to be responsible. Continue to spread knowledge to those who have less.
If you have questions, please use the links below:
Fire_tech@atf.gov for technical questions regarding firearms.
fipb@atf.gov for questions regarding the application of the final rule
For questions about the eform process, utilize the “Ask the Experts” tab within the eforms application.
