Picture this: Brandon Herrera, a gun enthusiast and YouTuber, walks into his local ATF headquarters. His mission? To unravel the mystery surrounding arm braces and their sudden classification as a felony. Sounds like the start of a thrilling detective novel, doesn’t it? Well, buckle up, because this is one rollercoaster of a story.
The Plot Thickens
Brandon, when he’s not busy turning soda cans into Swiss cheese at the shooting range, spends his time educating his audience about the ever-changing landscape of gun laws. Recently, he’s been digging into the ATF’s final rule on pistol braces, which, in a plot twist worthy of a Hollywood thriller, could potentially make their use a felony.
Since this revelation, there’s been more drama than a soap opera: a lawsuit, a congressional bill, and a chorus of anti-gun politicians making their voices heard. But the million-dollar question remains – are braces still legal?
The Brace Conundrum
Before we can answer that, let’s take a detour into the world of arm braces. Picture a piece of plastic that doesn’t affect the mechanical function of a firearm whatsoever. It’s an ergonomic accessory that makes it easier to hold or stabilize a weapon. Now, imagine our commander-in-chief explaining that this piece of plastic can turn a pistol into a gun, making it possible to fire higher caliber bullets. Sounds like a scene from a sci-fi movie, right? But this is the reality we’re dealing with.
The Brace Battle
The controversy around arm braces is hotter than a jalapeno. Some argue that they can be bought without a background check. But here’s the kicker: you don’t need a background check because it’s not a firearm. It’s like buying a new pair of shoes for your car – you don’t need a license for the shoes, you need it for the car.
The Fight Against ATF’s Rule
Now, imagine a world where law enforcement agencies can make up their own laws. Sounds like a dystopian novel, right? But that’s exactly what’s happening with the ATF’s new rule on arm braces. Thankfully, our heroes, The Firearm Policy Coalition, National Association for Gun Rights, and Gun Owners of America, have stepped up to challenge this rule.
The Role of USCCA
In the midst of this chaos, there’s a group called USCCA. They’re like the superheroes of the handgun world, ensuring that if you have to use your handgun in self-defense, the court system doesn’t try to financially ruin your life. They’re like the Avengers, but for gun owners.
The Congressional Effort
Meanwhile, in the hallowed halls of Congress, a bill has been introduced that could effectively kill the ATF’s new stabilizing brace rule. The bill was introduced by Georgia Republican Andrew Clyde, who knows a thing or two about guns, being the owner of Clyde Armory. The bill passed the house with a vote of 219-210. But, like any good thriller, there are a couple of turncoats in the mix.
Holding Politicians Accountable
In the end, it all comes down to accountability. We expect Democrats to be anti-gun, that’s their party platform. But when Republicans who claim to support gun rights vote for gun control, it’s like finding out your favorite superhero is working for the villain. It’s a plot twist nobody saw coming.
Compliance Rate
As the dust settles, we’re left with one final question: how many gun owners decided to legally comply and register their braced pistol with the ATFas part of their amnesty? According to the ATF themselves, around 255,000 brace pistols were registered under the amnesty. This is about 8% at best, but if you go on the high estimate of the numbers of braces in circulation, the compliance rate is 0.6%. This means it is very possible that less than one percent of braces in this country were actually registered in the amnesty when they were supposed to. This means millions of brace owners did not comply with this and either temporarily removed them or more likely just decided to wait this one out and see where this is going to go.
The Final Act
So, where does this leave us? Well, it’s a bit like the end of a suspenseful movie. We’re left on the edge of our seats, waiting to see what will happen next. Will the brace ban be overturned? Will the ATF back down? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, if you’re a gun owner, it’s important to stay informed and know your rights.
And remember, in the world of gun laws, the plot is always thickening. So stay tuned for the next thrilling chapter in the saga of arm braces.
