ATF changes definition of “engaged in the Business”, expands licensing requirements

The ATF has - yet again - issued a regulation that threatens to criminalize a wide range of conduct based on criteria that are vague at best, and perhaps even incomprehensible. A new final rule signed by Attorney General Merrick Garland purports to amend the regulatory definition of when someone is "Engaged in the Business" … Continue reading ATF changes definition of “engaged in the Business”, expands licensing requirements

NICS Appeal Process Becoming Available for NFA Transactions

In a rare instance of good news coming from the federal government, the ATF announced yesterday via a press release, that the ATF and FBI have "formalized" a process for individuals who have been the subject of a Denied NICS check during the processing of an NFA application. Importantly, this is not a direct appeal … Continue reading NICS Appeal Process Becoming Available for NFA Transactions

ATF Issues Open Letter Classifying SOME “Solvent Traps” and Other Parts as Silencers

The latest development in the ongoing controversy over the sale of "solvent traps" to customers in the US took place on Monday, November 20th with the issuance of an ATF Open Letter advising Federal Firearms Licensees of the agency's examination of devices marketed as solvent traps. As Attorneys Dillon Harris and Joshua Prince have previously … Continue reading ATF Issues Open Letter Classifying SOME “Solvent Traps” and Other Parts as Silencers

Operation Reticent Recall – Solvent Traps and Forced Reset Triggers

As many of our readers will already know, 2022 has been a busy year for the ATF, ramping up FFL revocations, sending Warning Notices to customers of Diversified Machine, and now seemingly going after Forced Reset Triggers (FRTs). While details are still scarce, over the last 2 weeks we have seen an increased number of … Continue reading Operation Reticent Recall – Solvent Traps and Forced Reset Triggers

Only Surrender Your Forced Reset Trigger (FRT) to ATF Under Protest!

As many in the Firearms Community are aware, yesterday, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) issued a somewhat vague Open Letter to all Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs), dated March 22, 2022, declaring that it considers some - without specification - forced reset triggers (FRTs) to be machineguns. (Who didn't see this coming … Continue reading Only Surrender Your Forced Reset Trigger (FRT) to ATF Under Protest!

Update on Diversified Machine Products

It has been some time since my last article on this issue and I know many people have continued to watch for updates, both here and across the various forums that have been discussing this issue on an ongoing basis. Since that article published on January 10th, I have continued to be in contact with … Continue reading Update on Diversified Machine Products

STOP Buying Solvent Traps!

Recently, we've had a number of clients who have attempted to purchase "solvent traps" from overseas. ATF has contended in federal warrants: Solvent traps are intended to prevent solvent from dripping, spraying, or spattering when pushed out the muzzle end of a firearm barrel. The front end-cap of a solvent trap must be solid and … Continue reading STOP Buying Solvent Traps!

Purchased From Diversified Machine and Received a Warning Notice?

In case you've not been following recent occurrences surrounding Diversified Machine, here is what we know. In late 2020 and early 2021, ATF raided Diversified Machine, a company selling solvent traps and other items commonly used to manufacture Form 1 silencers, and seized their website. The week after Christmas 2021, ATF mailed this single-page Warning … Continue reading Purchased From Diversified Machine and Received a Warning Notice?

Bumpstocks Not Machineguns U.S. Navy-Marine Corp Court of Appeals Rules Unanimously

On September 7, 2021, the U.S. Navy-Marine Corp Court of Appeals unanimously ruled in U.S. v. Alkazahg, docket no. 202000087, that Private (E-2) Ali Alkazahg was erroneously convicted of possessing two unregistered machineguns - i.e. bumpstocks. In so holding, the court reviewed the background to the rulemaking that held that bumpstocks were machineguns, and correctly … Continue reading Bumpstocks Not Machineguns U.S. Navy-Marine Corp Court of Appeals Rules Unanimously

ATF Withdrawals Notice and Request for Comment Regarding Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with Stabilizing Braces

In a shocking change of course - likely because it was in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act and former Attorney General Session's memorandum entitled Prohibition on Improper Guidance Documents - the ATF appears to be withdrawing its notice and request for comment on Objective Factors for Classifying Stabilizer Braces. The notice, which will likely … Continue reading ATF Withdrawals Notice and Request for Comment Regarding Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with Stabilizing Braces