Crapo, Risch Fight Biden’s Unconstitutional Pistol Brace Rule

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch (both R-Idaho) today voted to prevent the Biden administration’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from enforcing its rule to require pistol brace owners to put their names on a federal gun registry.

The rule, “Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached Stabilizing Braces,” would reclassify pistols as short-barreled rifles if they have a stabilizing brace attachment. Many disabled veterans and other Americans rely on these braces to use their firearms.  Under this rule, otherwise lawful gun owners could face up to 10 years in jail and thousands of dollars in fines if they fail to register pistols with stabilizing braces with the ATF.  If gun owners do not register their firearms, they would have to destroy the firearm, surrender their firearm to the ATF, or remove the brace in such a way that it cannot be reattached.

“This latest action taken by the ATF constitutes one of the largest executive branch-imposed gun registration and confiscation scheme in American history,” said Crapo.  “As the Biden Administration continues to seek creative methods to bypass the legislative process and advance its anti-gun agenda, Congress must be resolute and oppose all efforts to undermine Second Amendment rights.”

“The Biden administration has unfairly targeted law-abiding gun owners with its unconstitutional pistol brace rule,” said Risch.  “I strongly oppose this ban, and I will do whatever I can to protect Idahoans’ rights.”