Updated January 17, 2024
A district court case in Texas has rendered the ATF’s rule on stabilizing braces unenforceable until a final decision is made.
As this is a temporary relief from the ATF’s rule, Silver Eagle Group has not made any changes to our policies. Pistols with attached stabilizing braces are not accepted for sales, transfers, or armory work at this time.
Click to read our original post from January 31, 2023
On January 31, 2023, ATF 2021R-08F, “Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached Stabilizing Braces,” was published in the Federal Register.
Effective immediately, pistols equipped with an attached stabilizing brace that meet the criteria of the rulemaking are reclassified as Short Barreled Rifles (SBRs) and are now subject to the NFA. Those in physical possession of these SBRs on January 31, 2023 have five options for remaining in compliance with the law.
What does this rule mean for you?
For any firearms in your possession before on or before January 30, 2023, you may:
- Remove the short barrel and attach a 16-inch or longer rifled barrel to the firearm.
- Permanently remove and dispose of, or alter, the “stabilizing brace” such that it cannot be reattached.
- Turn the firearm in to your local ATF office.
- Destroy the firearm.
- Register the weapon as a Short Barreled Rifle.
Can Silver Eagle Group file my eForm 1 for me/with me?
We are happy to provide assistance if requested, but the Form 1 is submitted directly by you to the ATF – no dealer involvement is required. Head over to https://eforms.atf.gov/ and make sure you click on the RED button to submit an eForm 1 to register your SBR tax-free by May 31, 2023.
What does this rule mean for Silver Eagle Group?
Firearms in SEG’s retail area that were previously for sale as pistols with stabilizing braces are now for sale as rifles, SBRs, or pistols without stabilizing braces.
SEG’s extensive rental firearm selection includes a few firearms, such as the POF Rebel 22, the CMMG Banshee, and the LWRC SMG-45 that are equipped with attached pistol stabilizing blades or braces. These are now considered to be Short Barreled Rifles and are still available for rent.
Prior to the publication of the new rule, we ensured that our Gunsmith and Armorer completed work on any customer firearms that may have been subjected to the rule, and returned possession of those firearms to the owners. As of today, we cannot and will not accept any unregistered SBR for gunsmithing or armory work. If you own a firearm with a stabilizing brace, make sure you’re in compliance with the law prior to bringing in your gun for any work or cleaning services.
Silver Eagle Group offers firearm transfer services for members and guests. We are not able to transfer possession of any unregistered SBRs, and are not able to ship them back to the dealer or individual you purchased from. If your firearm is in transit via UPS, USPS, or FedEx, and arrives on or after January 31, 2023, will will contact you individually to discuss your options, which may include Silver Eagle Group registering the firearm as an SBR and then transferring possession to you on an ATF Form 4, or permanently removing and destroying the stabilizing brace before transferring the firearm to you, or attaching a 16-inch or longer rifled barrel to the firearm prior to transferring the firearm to you. In any case, we will work with you one-on-one to find the best solution. Remember that Silver Eagle Group does not accept firearm transfers from individual persons not licensed with the ATF, and if we receive, unannounced, an unregistered SBR through the mail from an individual, we must contact our local ATF office for resolution.
SEG has SB Tactical pistol stabilizing braces in stock for sale. The ATF does not regulate this accessory, so you are welcome to visit our retail area and purchase these items as you have been.
Looking for more info?
The ATF has resources regarding the final rule, including a PowerPoint training and a list of FAQs. SEG will update as more information becomes available.
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