Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached "Stabilizing Braces"

Proposes amending ATF regulations to clarify when a rifle is ‘‘intended to be fired from the shoulder.’’ The proposed rule outlines factors ATF would consider when evaluating firearms equipped with a purported ‘‘stabilizing brace’’ to determine whether these weapons would be considered a ‘‘rifle’’ or ‘‘short-barreled rifle’’ under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (‘‘GCA’’) or a ‘‘rifle’’ or ‘‘firearm’’ subject to regulation under the National Firearms Act (‘‘NFA’’). The proposed rule also proposes amending the definition of “rifle” in 27 CFR 478.11 and 479.11, respectively, by adding a sentence at the end of each definition to clarify that the term “rifle” includes any weapon with a rifled barrel and equipped with an attached “stabilizing brace” that has objective design features and characteristics that indicate that the firearm is designed to be fired from the shoulder.