Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023
Would a new federal rule on guns make millions of Americans ‘potential criminals overnight?’
The federal government did adopt a new rule reclassifying guns with "stabilizing devices" as rifles. However, it is hyperbole to say the rule, which is being challenged in court by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, would potentially criminalize Americans overnight.
If the rule is upheld, weapons with attachments that enable firing from the shoulder must be registered by May 31, 2023. Registration is free during the 120-day period and costs $200 after that.
Enforcement would begin after the 120 days for unregistered existing weapons with a stabilizing brace, with violations punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment and $10,000 in fines.
Estimates vary for how many Americans own guns with these stabilizing devices. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms estimates about three million have been sold since 2013. The Congressional Research Service estimates there are between 10 and 40 million in circulation.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- U.S. Government Publishing Office Federal Register: Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached "Stabilizing Braces’’
- Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty Darren A. Britto, Gabriel A. Tschauner, and Shawn M. Kroll v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives | Complaint
- US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Frequently asked questions for final rule 2021-08F
- Federal Register Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached “Stabilizing Braces”
- Congressional Research Service Handguns, Stabilizing Braces, and Related Components
About fact briefs
Fact briefs are bite-sized, well-sourced explanations that offer clear "yes" or "no" answers to questions, confusions, and unsupported claims circulating online. They rely on publicly available data and documents, often from the original source. Fact briefs are written and published by Gigafact contributor publications.
See all fact briefs
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
Learn MoreLatest Fact Briefs
Do recent studies link water fluoridation with less dental decay in children?
Friday, Feb. 14, 2025
Are airline flights the safest mode of transportation in the U.S.?
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025