U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Seventeen U.S. Senators recently introduced legislation aimed at removing the guts of the National Firearms Act—taxation, registration and regulatory requirements—and they are calling it the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act.
Sponsored by Sens. Roger Marshall (KS) John Kennedy (LA), John Barrasso (WY), John Boozman (AR), Ted Budd (NC), Mike Crapo (ID), Ted Cruz (TX), Steve Daines (MT), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), Mike Lee (UT), Cynthia Lummis (WY), Markwayne Mullin (OK), Rand Paul (KY), Mike Risch (ID), Mike Rounds (SD), Rick Scott (FL), John Thune (SD), and Tommy Tuberville (AL), the six-page measure may have a short life span—it probably will not get out of the Senate with Democrats in control—but it might raise a few eyebrows and some important political issues.
It’s the second go-round for this legislation. Marshall introduced it in the last Congress. But what about the issues it raises?
In a report from KIDO Radio in Boise, Crapo and Risch both took nasty swipes at the Biden administration.
“This Administration’s vendetta against lawful gun ownership is a gross violation of Constitutional rights. A federal gun registry has no place in America, yet this Administration is forcing millions of law-abiding Americans to either register these commonly owned firearms or become felons,” Risch said.
“As the Biden Administration continues to seek creative methods of advancing their anti-gun agenda, Congress must be resolute and oppose all efforts to undermine Second Amendment rights,” Crapo added. “Burdening law-abiding Americans with additional firearm restrictions is not the answer to safeguarding the public.”
Marshall also went after the administration, zeroing in on the new ATF pistol brace rule, which has already resulted in legal action.
“Finalization of this pistol brace rule represents the worst fears of gun owners across the country,” Marshall observed in a prepared statement. “The SHORT Act will protect Americans from the anti-2nd Amendment gun registry that the ATF is abusing the National Firearms Act to create. This Congress, I challenge my colleagues in both chambers to make protecting Americans’ Second Amendment Rights a priority and sign onto this legislation that will stop the ATF’s pistol brace rule in its tracks.”
The introduction of the SHORT Act came about two weeks after the Second Amendment Foundation had ripped into the administration for allowing the ATF to adopt its “final rule.” SAF already has a legal challenge in the works, filed way back in 2021. The case is known as SAF et. al. v. BATFE, et. al.
“When we started this process,” Gottlieb said at the time, “we anticipated where the agency’s efforts would lead. With our co-plaintiffs, we will continue to challenge this new arm brace rule.”
SAF is joined in that case by Rainier Arms, LLC and two private citizens, Samuel Walley and William Green. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division.
According to plaintiffs’ attorney Chad Flores’ analysis of the 291-page Final Rule, the definition of a “rifle” now turns on a bewildering six-factor test. This new definition can be controlled not by the firearm’s objective characteristics, but instead by what ATF agents in D.C. think of a manufacturer’s marketing materials or the firearm’s “likely use.” The new rule itself is forced to admit its dramatic result: Under this new definitional regime, “a majority of the existing firearms equipped with a ‘stabilizing brace’ are likely to be classified as ‘rifles.’”
All of this comes at a coincidental moment, as SAF has just launched its 2023 television advertising campaign, in which President Joe Biden’s own admission he wants to ban 9mm pistols, as well as semiautomatic rifles, is the centerpiece of the 60-second message.
This is already causing trouble in Connecticut, where—according to a Monday announcement by SAF—legal action is heating up because that state’s gun laws, combined with the ATF’s new “rifle” definition, makes criminals out of thousands of Constitution State citizens.
SAF and its partners in a federal lawsuit against Connecticut Gov. Edward Lamont and several others have filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order because a new rule published by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on firearms designation places thousands of Constitution State citizens in serious legal jeopardy. SAF is joined by the Connecticut Citizens Defense League and three private citizens, Jennifer Hamilton, Michael Stiefel and Eddie Grant, Jr. They are represented by Connecticut attorneys Doug Dubitsky of North Windham, Craig C. Fishbein of Wallingford and Cameron L. Atkinson of Harwinton.
“When ATF published its new rule,” Gottlieb said, “redesignating a class of firearms known as ‘any other firearm’ or simply ‘others’ as either ‘rifles’ or ‘short barreled rifles’ depending on the barrel length, all of those guns suddenly fell within the state’s definition of an assault weapon. This immediately put thousands of owners of previously-classified ‘other’ firearms in harm’s way legally because now their possession is a felony.”
SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut, who is also a practicing attorney, added this observation:
“This re-classification, is a textbook example of the harm which can be caused by an arbitrary change of rules and definitions making legally-purchased firearms suddenly illegal, turning their owners into criminals, essentially by the stroke of a pen. We’re asking the court to step in to prevent a legal nightmare for thousands of Connecticut citizens.”
The National Rifle Association (NRA) and Gun Owners of America (GOA) have both endorsed the SHORT Act.
About Dave Workman
Dave Workman is a senior editor at TheGunMag.com and Liberty Park Press, author of multiple books on the Right to Keep & Bear Arms, and formerly an NRA-certified firearms instructor.
The bigger question is why wasn’t it done when they had both houses and the presidency.
Because they really don’t want it to pass.
Because they only want it to campaign on.
I wish you were wrong. But you’re not.
Don’t sound so defeated. We control who sits in Congress. Don’t like what they do, pushback. Of course if you have a dimocRAT representative that’s going to be a bit harder, but if your rep is a GOPe acolyte that’s a different story altogether. An assistant dim needs major pushback daily. Whether it be emails, phone calls, trips to the district satellite office or especially at fundraising events POLITELY PUSHBACK. (You don’t want them blocking you or having security show you to the door) Get on their email list, I even go as far as sending them $25.00 to get… Read more »
Sadly, pro-American patriots do not determine, in large, who sits in Congress, It is the free-shit addicted Useful Idiot Government Plantation Dwellers, soon to be joined by illegal invading voters, who determine Congress. We’ve let that ship sail decades ago.
Always point out that the Second Amendment is BIG BUSINESS for both sides. Were vets to man-up again honoring their non-expiring oath “to defend against all enemies foreign and domestic,” to settle the 2A once and for all, where would LePewPew et el sell their services at those astronomical rates???? Hey, vets, while doing your man-up thingy for the 2A, how about handling that pesky border issue thingy also. Sadly, our BP agents are merely welcoming receptionists. A BYORANV…. Bring your own rifle, ammo, night vision extravaganza. Wet feet wins the Gulf Fishy Food Lottery. America is being overrun. Not… Read more »
Forget the past. We lost that battle, but we’re going to win the war. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but, we have some new patriot blood in Congress, not enough, but enough to foment change in the House. Now, it’s up to us to work towards the future. We’ve done a pretty good job purging GOPe denizens last cycle. We got rid of a particularly ugly one here in Washington 3rd District, Jamie Herrera-Beutler. (Our America First Candidate lost the general by 2,000 votes and is already running again, he’ll win in ‘24) We can do this. Now is… Read more »
So sad about Jamie Herrera. I was active in local politics when she was first elected and we all rejoiced at getting such a great down to earth congresscritter. But over the years she seems to have gotten hooked on the KoolAde. I’ve wanted her gone for the past two elections, it finally happened this last fall.
Wonder wha/who got under her skin and changed her values.
I agree, seems wasted. Nobody can see into her mind and heart but she does have a special needs child she brought out into the public a few years ago. Maybe Mrs Beutler was tired of public service because her last couple of terms seemed rather schizophrenic.
It would not have passed then ,the dem party would have used the filibuster and blocked it .
And the republican senators should use the same tactics when the democrats want a bill passed. Talk it to death.
I am sorry but I almost hate those who oppose the 2nd Amendment
No “almost” here.
It the words of by buddy Tucker. “That’s exactly right!”
It turns out that the concept of a short barrelled rifle only exists because the original version of the NFA also put the $200 tax on handguns. Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons has a great 15 minute piece on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsE0naVApPU
When I last looked at this legislation it removed the tax on SBRs but did not remove the definition and thus is a half way measure. To be fully effective every reference needs to be ripped out of the law by its roots.
while you are busy ripping, just continue until NFA is relic in the twisted brains of some radical politicians, and otherwise gone the way of the Dodo Bird.
I won’t even bother looking to see if my traitor senator Susan Collins is on the list.
Even better news!
NEW MEXICO: ASA TESTIMONY DEFEATS SUPPRESSOR BAN!
SANTA FE, NM: On Monday, February 6th, ASA Executive Director Knox Williams testified in the New Mexico Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee in opposition to Senate Bill 171. Immediately following Knox’s testimony, Sen. Soules offered an amendment to delete the provision banning suppressors. The amendment was adopted by a bipartisan 6 – 1 margin, thus removing the suppressor ban from SB 171.
Great news. Keep up the good work. Please call your reps and thank them.
Not a single RINO signature , where is old turkey neck Mitch McConnells signature ? Must be grooming his waddle
Wattle
At his age, waddle will work too. Maybe they can install a shuffleboard in the chamber to keep all the geriatrics something to do besides drinking. Article 5 Convention of States term limits.
Good advice except for the Convention of the States and term limits. Those 2 things will be the final nails in America’s coffin.
Have you not been listening to the Twitter Files detailing just how deep the Swamp is. One dark point, all of the Swamp is directed by staff. Term limit the political official, they will become meaningless. However, I truly believe advocates of the Convention of the States know this and are part and parcel part of what ails America.
Guess the solution is to drown them all and start over then with term limits in the future .
Thanks for sharing your opinion. We have no disagreement regarding the serious problem that exists with the embedded non-elected bureaucrats and the very real threat they are, likely even more than the elected officials. Funny that previous Convention of States, that are an essential part of our Constitution for making adjustments in a controlled fashion, weren’t a “nail in the coffin. We will simply disagree on the need for term limits, e.g. as Pelosi, Schummer, O’Connell, Feinstein, Biden, Trump, and on and on it goes, amply demonstrate.
He needs to be hung with Graham, Rommney, Schumer, Schiff, Pelosi, all the Biden’s, Obama’s, Clinton’s and the entire clown car Squad. Then throw Gates and Zuckerberg on the rope for good measure. Might as well ad the ugly bunch from the view. I’ll pull the lever for free.
Make no mistake. The Rhino’s are just as bad as the dems.
After that example is made, we strengthen the constitution by hold people’s words (proverbial feet) to the fire.
I would not piss on Cornyn if he was on fire.
I might… or at least pretend to while squirting him with gasoline.
So much wish his term was up so we could discard him now instead of having to wait.
McConnell and Ryan are swamp things. So are most politicians. Why not constitutional carry and getting rid of some of these agencies while republicans had control?
“This is the government our Forefathers warned about” sweatshirt from Dinesh D’Souza’s website. Needs the tag line added….”….and for which they penned the Second Amendment.”
Instead of this weak sauce feel-good bill that will never pass, how about some senators get tough and pass a resolution that calls BATF on the carpet and enjoins them to ENd their rue-making, as only the CONGRESS have the authority to make law, BATF are an unconstitutional agency with NO lawmaking powers, yet they effectiely “make law” at will, then impose those “laws” which are null, void, and of none effect, upon mute hapless citizens.
Political posturing and a waste of time. Why do y’all keep reporting on things that are meaningless
Perhaps to stimulate people up out of their Lazyboy’s and actually stand up for Liberty?
Change Requires Discomfort
There is no discomfort in America therefore there will be no change
Maybe not in your neck of the woods, but there’s lots of discomfort here and just about everywhere a liberal slithers.
Put our money where our mouth is
Not good enough, the ATF will be dissolved. We don’t need them. The NFA of ’34 can be scrapped as well.