(RightWing.org) – The Biden administration seems intent on finding ways to diminish the Second Amendment. While the president says no one wants to take guns away from those legally holding them, he sure seems intent on reducing people’s access and ability to use them. In the newest case, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is considering a 71-page proposal that would regulate AR pistols equipped with stabilizing braces and require a $200 registration fee or risk legal action.
Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) and 141 Republicans wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and acting ATF Director Marvin Richardson expressing their deep concerns. In the strongly worded letter, Hudson called on the Biden administration not to make millions of legal gun owners felons overnight, including scores of veterans.
What’s in the Proposal?
Democrats allege that AR-style pistols are military-style assault weapons. However, that’s a misnomer. They are not “assault weapons,” nor are they “assault rifles.” Assault guns are fully automatic machine guns. While they appear to look like military guns, AR-style pistols fire like any other semi-automatic civilian sporting firearm that is not being targeted. One bullet is fired with each pull of the trigger.
Democrats use the term “assault” to politicize the gun.
In the ATF’s 71-page proposal, they want to ban stabilizing braces they once promoted. A stabilizing brace makes it easier for a gun owner to use a heavy gun, such as an AR pistol. Hudson reminded the ATF in his letter that the agency recently endorsed stabilizing braces for disabled veterans who enjoy firing the gun for recreational purposes.
Additionally, the ATF is proposing a $200 tax to register the weapon. Otherwise, it would be illegal to own a firearm and stabilizing brace.
What’s at Stake?
If executed, not only would it be illegal overnight for anyone to own an AR-pistol or stabilizing brace, but the rule would also be retroactive. Hudson claims that it will impact 20 to 40 million AR-style pistols and braces. There is no grandfathering of the rule, and owners would be forced to immediately come up with $200 per gun.
If implemented, the new regulation could be worth billions of dollars to the federal government.
It makes one wonder: is this about public safety, or the government’s need for revenue as it needs trillions of dollars to pay for the Left’s agenda?
Hudson wrote that he and the 141 republicans are disturbed the ATF would tax and take away millions of guns and criminalize millions of Americans, including disabled veterans who enjoy their Constitutionally protected rights. He added that, if the government is to follow the Constitution, a citizen’s right to own a firearm “cannot be infringed.”
If the ATF follows through and executes its proposal, expect lawsuits to be filed in federal court. If it reaches the Supreme Court, recent rulings suggest the court could be opposed to this regulation on a myriad of grounds.
Stay tuned!
Don Purdum, Independent Political Analyst
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