ATF Defeated ..Again. Court Rules Forced Reset Trigger Ban Unconstitutional

National Association for Gun Rights Wins Lawsuit Against ATF Trigger Ban

In a significant victory for gun rights advocates, the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) won a lawsuit against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) over the classification of forced reset triggers (FRTs) as “machineguns.” The ruling was handed down by Judge Reed O’Connor of the Federal District Court, Northern District of Texas, who found the ATF’s ban on these devices unlawful.

National Association For Gun Rights, Inc., Et Al., Plaintiffs, V. Merrick Garland, Et Al., Defendants.

Judge O’Connor’s decision vacated the ATF’s classification of FRTs as machineguns, stating that the agency had exceeded its statutory authority. This ruling follows the Supreme Court’s recent Cargill decision, which similarly struck down the ATF’s bump stock ban.

SUMMARY JUDGMENT!!! We just won summary judgment striking down the ATF’s forced reset trigger ban in a scathing 64-page ruling. I’ll drop some highlights below as I go thought it. This is a huge win!!! pic.twitter.com/Z2CwWky1KQ

— Hannah Hill (@hannahhill_sc) July 24, 2024

Hannah Hill, Executive Director of the National Foundation for Gun Rights (the legal arm of NAGR), expressed her satisfaction with the court’s decision:

“We are absolutely thrilled that the court has dealt such a decisive blow to the ATF’s unconstitutional agency overreach. The ATF under the Biden/Harris regime has utterly trampled the Constitution and the rule of law in their eagerness to destroy the Second Amendment.”

Hill noted that while the ATF may appeal the ruling, both precedent and momentum are on the side of gun rights advocates.

“We fully anticipate the absolute end of the ATF’s unlawful, unconstitutional ban on forced reset triggers,” she added.

This ruling is not only a win for NAGR and its members and supporters but also for Rare Breed Triggers and its customers, who have been unlawfully targeted by the ATF and the Department of Justice.

Key Points from the Court’s Forced Reset Triggers Decision:

• Exceeding Authority: The court found that the ATF had acted beyond its statutory authority in redefining FRTs as machineguns. The judge emphasized that only Congress has the power to change statutory definitions.
• APA Violation: The ruling referenced the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), highlighting that the ATF’s actions violated this federal statute by overstepping its regulatory boundaries.
• Standing: The court rejected the ATF’s argument that the plaintiffs did not have standing to sue, affirming the legitimacy of the claims brought by NAGR and Rare Breed Triggers.
• Injunction: The court issued a broad injunction preventing the ATF from enforcing its classification of FRTs as machineguns. This includes halting criminal prosecutions and civil actions based on the now-vacated definition.

Commentary from John Crump:

AmmoLand News’ John Crump, an investigative journalist known for his reporting on Second Amendment issues, covered the case extensively on AmmoLand News and his YouTube channel. Crump highlighted that the court’s decision follows a pattern of recent rulings that favor gun rights. He pointed out that the ATF’s attempt to classify FRTs as machine guns was flawed because these devices require the trigger to reset between each shot, a key characteristic that distinguishes them from machine guns.

Crump also noted the influence of the Supreme Court’s Cargill decision, which ruled against the ATF’s authority to redefine machineguns to include bump stocks. He explained that the same legal principles applied in the FRT case, leading to a similar outcome.

Looking Forward:

While the ATF may appeal the ruling, the path ahead appears challenging. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, known for its conservative leanings, is likely to uphold the lower court’s decision. Moreover, the Supreme Court has shown a willingness to rein in regulatory overreach, making a reversal of the ruling unlikely.

For now, this ruling represents a significant victory for the gun community, reinforcing the importance of adhering to the statutory definitions set by Congress and respecting the constitutional limits of federal agencies.

Stay informed, stay vigilant, and keep fighting for your rights.