ATF Pistol Brace Rule

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned a lower court ruling, deeming the ATF's regulation on pistol stabilizing braces as 'arbitrary and capricious.' This decision arose from a lawsuit filed by a coalition of 25 states challenging the ATF's new rule, which classified many pistols with braces as short-barreled rifles, subjecting owners to severe penalties under the National Firearms Act. The court criticized the ATF for not providing clear standards and for reversing its long-held stance without adequate justification, potentially affecting millions of gun owners. The ruling aligns with a growing trend of legal victories against the ATF's regulations, as seen in previous cases like NRA v. ATF. Advocates argue that the rule unfairly targets lawful gun owners while hindering the rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment. This outcome is viewed as a significant setback for the Biden administration's regulatory efforts on gun control.