USCCA Statement on Passage of H.J. Res. 44

WEST BEND, WI – The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) released the following statement regarding the United States House of Representatives passing H.J. Res. 44, a Congressional Review Act resolution that would nullify the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)’s new rule that redefines a firearm with an attached stabilizing brace as a short-barreled rifle.  

“Americans all over the country, including the USCCA’s 750,000 members, are deeply concerned about federal overreach aimed at restricting the right of responsible gun owners to defend themselves. It’s a credit to them that so many made their voices heard on this issue and demanded that Congress act.  They recognized that the ATF’s pistol brace rule threatens to turn millions of law-abiding gun owners into criminals overnight simply for owning firearm attachments that have been legal for over a decade.  The passage of H.J. Res. 44 shows that many Members of Congress were listening and understand the threat this rule poses,” USCCA Managing Director of Government Affairs Katie Pointer Baney said. 

The ATF rule requires owners of pistol braces to register them with the federal government and pay a fee, surrender them, or destroy them, otherwise they might face severe criminal penalties.  The House vote to repeal the rule had bipartisan support, passing with a 219-210 vote. 

“We commend Reps. Andrew Clyde and Richard Hudson, the resolution’s original sponsors, for getting it across the finish line in the House.  President Biden’s threat to veto the resolution unfortunately demonstrates his lack of concern for law-abiding seniors and disabled veterans in particular, who frequently use pistol braces to train for self-protection and who may face prison time if this rule is enforced.  When your gun agenda punishes responsible gun owners more than violent criminals, there is a serious problem,” concluded Pointer Baney. 

For more information about the USCCA, visit our website. 

 ###

About the USCCA. The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) is an association of responsible armed Americans whose members get exceptional self-defense education, lifesaving training, and self-defense liability insurance, preparing them for the before, during and after of a lawful act of self-defense. Headquartered in West Bend, WI, the USCCA is the largest, fastest-growing self-defense association dedicated to responsible gun owners.