Sidearms & Scatterguns Is it legal to shoulder a brace?

[Bridges90]

Been looking into getting into a cz EVO or an mpx and have been reading multiple things about gun braces. I know originally the ATF stated it was illegal to shoulder a pistol brace but I’ve heard since then they have retracted that statement and said it’s ok to shoulder one? The wording they use in these laws can be a bit ambiguous so I just wanted to check with you guys and see if it’s legit now to shoulder one. Thanks!

 

[Downtown]

Yes, "incidentally".

 

[ForgeValley]

Definition of incidentally
1 : in an incidental manner : not intentionally

Tough to prove you had no intention of shouldering a brace when it's... On your shoulder.

 

[Downtown]

https://www.sigsauer.com/press-releases/atf-clarifies-ruling-pistol-stabilizing-braces/ Here is the latest letter. Incidental is term BATF uses. It seems unlikely that a judge will ever be asked to decide, but that would be the final answer.

 

[Downtown]

So it's legal. For now.

 

[W54/XM-388]

Basically don't make an ass of yourself on YouTube going on about how you are using this as an SBR without having to get paperwork and showing off your great firing from the shoulder skills and I doubt you'll have any issues until a ruling change happens.

Too many idiots showing off on YouTube about slide fire stocks and "pistol braces" are what makes for stupid rulings that affect the rest of us.

 

[TheGerman]

Who gives a shit. Stop asking for permission to do shit.

And whatever you do, don't you fucking dare write a letter to the faggots at the ATF asking for clarification about anything.

 

[Bridges90]

Eh I don’t make YouTube videos, just wanted to make sure if I shoulder fired one at the local range I wouldn’t be rushed by fucking swat for not having a tax stamp on an sbr.

 

[Bridges90]

Who gives a shit. Stop asking for permission to do shit.

And whatever you do, don't you fucking dare write a letter to the faggots at the ATF asking for clarification about anything.

Chill man, just wanted to check. As stupid as our gun laws are I’m not going to knowingly break a law if it’s set in stone. This one has been a topic of hot debate recently. I never planned on writing anything to the atf.

 

[Sniper266]

Why risk it?

If youre going to keep an “AR pistol” as your truck gun in the event you need to take down some of Bin Ladins cronies on your way to or from droping the kids off at school and in such a situation you “incidentally” shoulder your pistol to save children from terrorist, then i cant imagine youd have much trouble.

But if its your plan to shoulder it at regular range outings in public, bringing attention to what youre doing then you could run into trouble if someone says something.

 

[nope]

Do you always come to a COMPLETE stop at an intersection? Always?????

 

[Downtown]

I don't think there is any trouble to get into. The BATF decision is that is legal to fire a brace from the shoulder. Having said that, I agree that it may certainly cause disagreeable conversations at some ranges. Might even be against range rules. Just not Federal law.

 

[Laseredge]

“I didn’t do it, nobody saw me do it, can’t prove anything.” The Bart Simpson defense.

 

[Bridges90]

From reading the actual atf letter that someone posted above. The trouble seems to come into play when someone permenantly attaches the stock to the gun and or removes the strap. Pretty much removing the items that make a brace a brace is considered the illegal part. That’s how I view it, saying that my perspective isn’t the law and i could be missing a big point here. As far as people making a stink about seeing someone fire from the shoulder at a range, yea that possibility is always there, but I’m in WV and thankfully we don’t really have any strict gun laws. The state doesn’t seem to care what you do with guns as long as you aren’t killing each other with them. I’ll just keep an eye out and try not to fire it from the shoulder much. Thanks for the input guys!

 

[jrassy]

Don't forget to post your 5 shot groups at 100 yards either, very important.

 

[Bulldog Firearms]

If the item is legal, how you use it is irrelevant. Pistols are by definition fired by one hand. Does it make it an NFA item when you put two hands on it? If you stick your arm through it and aren't a cripple, you are a tool.

 

[TheGerman]

"Incidental".

Know what that means? Means that if at anytime, anyone says you shouldered the stock, they must be mistaken because you have no idea what they are talking about. Actually, wasn't it the guy saying you shouldered it that was actually shouldering a pistol brace?

 

[W54/XM-388]

You could have a bit of comic movie baddass fun with strapping on 2 of those AR pistols with braces, one on each arm and being all action hero type... but of course mag changes would be challenging... best hope for the never ending bullet supply available in action movies.

 

[Spooky68]

What kind of a tool goes around reporting people at gun ranges? Does this actually happen? I have never had anyone ask me about the legal status of my gun stuff and my knee jerk response to someone who did would be Fuck off ( I really need to reign in my knees before they get me in trouble)... unless of course they were ATF or some other law entity.

 

[Spblademaker]

Threads like this make the price of my braces go thru the roof.

 

[W54/XM-388]

What kind of a tool goes around reporting people at gun ranges? Does this actually happen? I have never had anyone ask me about the legal status of my gun stuff and my knee jerk response to someone who did would be Fuck off ( I really need to reign in my knees before they get me in trouble)... unless of course they were ATF or some other law entity.

You'd be surprised at the number of people who love butting into other people's business over some pet peeve of theirs... witness in the whole parking in handicapped shooting space thread how many were extra happy to say they went out of their way to call the authorities or cause an issue if they felt somebody was violating some stupid rule.