ATF Final Rule 2021R-08F: “Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached ‘Stabilizing Braces'”

  • 📅 Effective Date: January 31, 2023
  • 📑 Published: Federal Register on January 31, 2023
  • 🎯 Purpose: Clarify when a rifle is designed for shoulder firing
  • 🧐 Evaluation Criteria: Factors for determining “rifle” or “short-barreled rifle” status
  • 🔍 Definition Clarification: “Designed, redesigned, made, or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder” includes certain attachments like “stabilizing brace”
  • 🚫 Exemption: “Stabilizing braces” designed for individuals with disabilities, not for shouldering
  • 🗓️ Registration Deadline: May 31, 2023, for short-barreled rifles
  • 📋 Compliance Options:
  • Remove short barrel and attach a 16-inch or longer rifled barrel
  • Permanently remove, dispose of, or alter the “stabilizing brace”
  • Turn firearm into local ATF office
  • Destroy the firearm
  • ⏰ Registration Option Discontinuation: May 31, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (ET) in the eForms System
  • 🎯 Affected Parties:
  • Unlicensed Possessors
  • FFLs not under NFA Class One Importer or Class Two Manufacturer SOT
  • FFL Importers or Manufacturers under GCA qualified under NFA Class One Importer or Class Two Manufacturer SOT
  • Certain Governmental Entities
  • 🤔 Need to Know:
  • Affected parties have compliance options
  • Quick reference sheet and FAQs provided
  • 🛠️ Resources:
  • FAQs, SBA Compliance Guide, PowerPoint Training, Regulatory Impact Analysis, NFA Form 1 Submission Guidance
  • 📚 Related Information:
  • Gun Control Act of 1968, National Firearms Act, Rules and Regulations
  • 📞 Contact Information:
  • Firearms Industry Programs Branch: FIPB@atf.gov
  • Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division: Fire_Tech@atf.gov
  • Office of Regulatory Affairs: ORA@atf.gov
  • eForms Account Registration