Time Running Out For Congress to Act on ATF Pistol Brace Rule

Time is running out for Congress to vote on Congressman Andrew Clyde’s Resolution H.J. 44.

In a move to curb what most agree is a “rogue” Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Representative Andrew Clyde has appealed to fellow GOP representatives to back H.J. Res. 44, a resolution against the forthcoming ATF pistol brace rule. Clyde maintains that this regulation, which stands to reclassify millions of pistols equipped with stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifles (SBRs), is an overreach by the ATF.

Speaking to Breitbart News on May 23, 2023, he stated, “The ATF has gone rogue here, and they need to be reined in, and this is one of the ways that we’re going to do it.”

As per the details of the rule, owners of AR-pistols with stabilizer braces could find themselves unwittingly in violation of the law when the rule goes into effect on June 1, 2023. It compels gun owners to either register their firearms with braces under the National Firearms Act (NFA), dismantle the brace rendering it irremovable, or hand their guns over to law enforcement. This imminent change has sparked a series of lawsuits and significant criticism from Congress.

With the vote on H.J. Res. 44 possibly occurring as late as May 31, Clyde is urging Republicans who have remained inactive to unite in the effort to stop the ATF rule.

He believes the resolution’s passage will not only move the legislation to the Senate but also signal to courts across the country where Congress stands on this issue.

“House passage of H.J. Res. 44 sends a very strong message that this is Congress’s intent. So in court cases against the rule, that are ongoing already, judges will know where Congress stands,” Clyde said.

The ATF’s pistol brace ban is nothing more than backdoor gun control.

It’s up to Congress to rein in this rogue agency.

We must pass my bill, H.J.Res. 44, to block the ATF’s unconstitutional rule BEFORE it takes effect next week. https://t.co/TgMJyMwtZP

— Rep. Andrew Clyde (@Rep_Clyde) May 24, 2023

While Clyde is gathering supporters in Congress, Congressman Paul A. Gosar voiced his criticism of the ATF’s proposed rule in an article published on May 27, 2023, at Americanthinker.com.

Gosar argued that the rule is a radical infringement on the Second Amendment, turning law-abiding citizens into de facto felons for their past legal purchases. He pointed out the lack of evidence linking the use of pistol braces to increased gun violence. He questioned the enforcement of the rule, fearing it could place law enforcement officers in a position of potential conflict with peaceful civilians.

Gosar, like Clyde, supports H.J. Res 44 and calls for its vote before the deadline. He asserts that the resolution’s popularity, as demonstrated by its 188 cosponsors, surpasses that of any other resolution scheduled for a vote in the same week. He ended his critique by appealing to colleagues to consider the consequences of their inaction, highlighting the potential erosion of trust between Second Amendment supporters and Congress.

The resolution initially brought to the House Judiciary Committee in April 2023, cleared the committee with a 23-15 vote and now faces the hurdle of Congressional approval. If it passes, it is unlikely to gain President Biden’s signature given his previously stated opposition to gun rights. Nonetheless, proponents of the resolution, like Clyde and Gosar, believe its passage would shine a light on the ATF’s overreach, setting the stage for future action should Republicans gain more power.

By Fred Riehl and AI tools. Note: This article was generated using AI technology and may contain some automated content aggregation and analysis.