This Week in Guns 8/3/23 - Pistol Brace Updoot, The Trace Kerfuffle, and Bad Guns Misbehaving

The ATF is proposing a new rule change regarding frames and receivers, potentially making metal 80% frames legal again while keeping polymer frames under strict regulation. This follows legal challenges to the previous rule, including Vandertock v. Bondi, which the Supreme Court largely upheld. The ATF has requested a 90-day stay to revise the rule.

The Supreme Court denied review in US v. Peterson, a case challenging the National Firearms Act (NFA) as applied to suppressors. The Fifth Circuit's ruling, which upheld the NFA by likening it to a 'shall issue' licensing scheme, now stands as precedent in that circuit. This decision has significant implications for future Second Amendment challenges to firearms regulations, potentially allowing broader government control over protected arms under the guise of objective licensing.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and ATF are reportedly revisiting and revising the 'frames and receivers' rule and the 'engaged in the business' rule. This follows the DOJ voluntarily dismissing its appeal in a Fifth Circuit case against the ATF, indicating the current rules are on shaky legal ground. A new notice of proposed rulemaking is expected, suggesting a strategic retreat by the government to avoid a definitive court loss and to re-attempt regulation with a revised approach.

The US v. Peterson case challenges the NFA's suppressor restrictions, arguing it violates the Second Amendment. The Fifth Circuit upheld the NFA by likening it to a 'shall issue' licensing regime, a reasoning now being contested. The Supreme Court is considering the case, with amicus briefs filed urging review, and the DOJ has waived its right to respond, creating procedural uncertainty.

This video discusses how Donald Trump's 2027 budget proposal explicitly labels the ATF's actions under the Biden administration as an "attack on gunowning Americans and undermine the Second Amendment." It highlights the pistol brace controversy as a prime example, where millions of legally acquired firearms were reclassified, potentially turning owners into felons. The proposal also allocates funds to establish a new DOJ Civil Rights Division office dedicated to protecting Second Amendment rights.

The video discusses a recent ATF interpretation that could classify pistols equipped with braces as Short-Barreled Rifles (SBRs), potentially making millions of gun owners felons. Despite federal court rulings striking down similar rules, the Department of Justice and ATF are reportedly continuing to pursue felony charges on a case-by-case basis, asserting their right to enforce these classifications.

This video demonstrates the rapid deployment and firing of the B&T BWC-9, a unique folding briefcase firearm. Speaker Matt Larosiere, a firearms attorney, showcases the BWC-9's transformation from a compact form to a functional submachine gun. The demonstration includes mounting an optic and live-fire exercises on an outdoor range, highlighting the firearm's operational aspects with a satirical tone.

This entry details an experiment where Othais open carried a 1911 for a week to gauge public reactions. It highlights how common misconceptions about carrying a 1911 in Condition 1 (cocked and locked) can lead to unwarranted concern, potentially influencing trends like law enforcement's move towards striker-fired pistols. The content emphasizes understanding firearm conditions and public perception.

This video showcases a critical mechanical failure of the new Daniel Defense H9 pistol during its debut at SHOT Show 2024. The magazine base plate detached unexpectedly, causing the internal components to spill out. The content creator, acting as an industry observer, highlights this significant reliability issue with a humorous yet critical tone, based on direct handling of the pre-release hardware.

Bill Wilson, founder of Wilson Combat, provides a humorous yet important firearms etiquette warning: do not drop the slide on an empty magazine or chamber. This video, filmed at SHOT Show 2024, emphasizes proper handling to avoid this common mistake, humorously stating that each instance results in a 'kitten dying'. The advice is delivered with high authority from a firearms industry veteran.