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No.

The federal government did adopt a new rule reclassifying guns with “stabilizing devices” as rifles. However, it is hyperbole to say the rule, which is being challenged in court by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, would potentially criminalize Americans overnight.

If the rule is upheld, weapons with attachments that enable firing from the shoulder must be registered by May 31, 2023. Registration is free during the 120-day period and costs $200 after that.

Enforcement would begin after the 120 days for unregistered existing weapons with a stabilizing brace, with violations punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment and $10,000 in fines.

Estimates vary for how many Americans own guns with these stabilizing devices. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms estimates about three million have been sold since 2013. The Congressional Research Service estimates there are between 10 and 40 million in circulation.

This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

U.S. Government Publishing Office: Federal Register: Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached “Stabilizing Braces’’

Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty: Darren A. Britto, Gabriel A. Tschauner, and Shawn M. Kroll v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives | Complaint

US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: Frequently asked questions for final rule 2021-08F

Federal Register: Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached “Stabilizing Braces”

Congressional Research Service: Handguns, Stabilizing Braces, and Related Components

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Would a new federal rule on guns make millions of Americans ‘potential criminals overnight?’

by Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch
February 6, 2023

<h1>Would a new federal rule on guns make millions of Americans ‘potential criminals overnight?’</h1> <p class="byline">by Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch <br />February 6, 2023</p> <br /> <h2>No.</h2> <p>The federal government did adopt a new rule reclassifying guns with "stabilizing devices" as rifles. However, it is hyperbole to say the rule, which is being challenged in court by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, would potentially criminalize Americans overnight.</p> <p>If the rule is upheld, weapons with attachments that enable firing from the shoulder must be registered by May 31, 2023. Registration is free during the 120-day period and costs $200 after that.</p> <p>Enforcement would begin after the 120 days for unregistered existing weapons with a stabilizing brace, with violations punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment and $10,000 in fines.</p> <p>Estimates vary for how many Americans own guns with these stabilizing devices. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms estimates about three million have been sold since 2013. The Congressional Research Service estimates there are between 10 and 40 million in circulation.</p> <p><em>This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleKoenen/status/1620438213105164289?cxt=HHwWgoDRiYX--fwsAAAA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this one.</a></em></p> <p><strong>Sources</strong></p> <p>U.S. Government Publishing Office: <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-01-31/pdf/2023-01001.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Federal Register: Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached "Stabilizing Braces’’</a></p> <p>Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty: <a href="https://will-law.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ATF-Complaint-Final-PDF.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Darren A. Britto, Gabriel A. Tschauner, and Shawn M. Kroll v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives | Complaint</a></p> <p>US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: <a href="https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regulations/docs/undefined/faqfinalrule2021r-08f-correctedpdf/download" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frequently asked questions for final rule 2021-08F</a></p> <p>Federal Register: <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/06/10/2021-12176/factoring-criteria-for-firearms-with-attached-stabilizing-braces" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached “Stabilizing Braces”</a></p> <p>Congressional Research Service: <a href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11763" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Handguns, Stabilizing Braces, and Related Components</a></p> <p>This <a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinwatch.org/2023/02/would-a-new-federal-rule-on-guns-make-millions-of-americans-potential-criminals-overnight/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinwatch.org">Wisconsin Watch</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/wisconsinwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-WCIJ_IconOnly_FullColor_RGB-1.png?fit=150%2C150&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://wisconsinwatch.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=1276567&ga=UA-17896820-1" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p> Copy to Clipboard

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