WTO notification · TBT
United StatesAdopted, according to its latest notice
Official title
Removing Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached ''Stabilizing Braces''
The United States notified a revised version of this proposed TBT measure on 7 May 2026. The measure was first notified on 14 June 2021. The comment period closed on 4 August 2026.
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Firearms; Firearms and similar devices which operate by the firing of an explosive charge, e.g. sporting shotguns and rifles, muzzle-loading firearms, Very pistols and other devices designed to project signal flares only, pistols and revolvers for firing blank ammunition, captive-bolt humane killers
Notice of proposed rulemaking - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (''ATF'') is proposing to amend Department of Justice (''Department'') regulations on firearms with attached stabilizing braces. Courts have found that ATF's revisions in the 2023 final rule (notified as G/TBT/N/USA/1739/Add.1) on the same topic violated the Administrative Procedure Act. Several courts have enjoined, stayed, or vacated the final rule, which has rarely been in effect. ATF is therefore proposing to remove from the regulatory definitions of ''rifle'' the two paragraphs added by the 2023 final rule that defined the term ''designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder.''
Every notice about this measure published here, newest first. Each one is the notifying member's own text.
RevisionG/TBT/N/USA/1739/Rev.1
Comment deadline: Closed on 4 August 2026
Removing Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached ''Stabilizing Braces''
Notice of proposed rulemaking - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (''ATF'') is proposing to amend Department of Justice (''Department'') regulations on firearms with attached stabilizing braces. Courts have found that ATF's revisions in the 2023 final rule (notified as G/TBT/N/USA/1739/Add.1) on the same topic violated the Administrative Procedure Act. Several courts have enjoined, stayed, or vacated the final rule, which has rarely been in effect. ATF is therefore proposing to remove from the regulatory definitions of ''rifle'' the two paragraphs added by the 2023 final rule that defined the term ''designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder.''
AddendumG/TBT/N/USA/1739/Add.1
Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'
TITLE: Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached 'Stabilizing Braces' AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice ACTION: Final rule SUMMARY: The Department of Justice ('Department' or 'DOJ') is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ('ATF') to clarify when a rifle is designed, made, and intended to be fired from the shoulder. Specifically, under the Gun Control Act of 1968 ('GCA') and the National Firearms Act of 1934 ('NFA') the definition of 'rifle' shall include a weapon that is equipped with an accessory, component, or other rearward attachment (e.g., a 'stabilizing brace') that provides surface area that allows the weapon to be fired from the shoulder, provided other factors, as described in this preamble and in the amended regulations, indicate that the weapon is designed, made, and intended to be fired from the shoulder. DATES: Effective date: This rule is effective 31 January 2023. Compliance Date: Any weapons with 'stabilizing braces' or similar attachments that constitute rifles under the NFA must be registered no later than 31 May 2023. This final rule and the notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comment notified as G/TBT/N/USA/1739 are identified by Docket Number ATF 2021R-08. The Docket Folder is available on Regulations.gov at and provides access to primary and supporting documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov by…
Regular notificationG/TBT/N/USA/1739
Comment deadline: Closed on 13 August 2021
Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'
Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comment- The Department of Justice ('Department') proposes amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ('ATF') regulations to clarify when a rifle is 'intended to be fired from the shoulder.' The Department proposes factors ATF considers when evaluating firearms equipped with a purported 'stabilizing brace' to determine whether these weapons would be considered a 'rifle' or 'short-barreled rifle' under the Gun Control Act of 1968 ('GCA') or a 'rifle' or 'firearm' subject to regulation under the National Firearms Act ('NFA'). This proposed rule is a separate action from the Notice on the Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with 'Stabilizing Braces' published on 18 December 2020, and withdrawn on 31 December 2020. No comments received under the withdrawn notice were considered for this proposed rule, and no comments received pursuant to that notice will be considered as part of this proposed rule. Commenters will need to submit new comments in connection with this proposed rule.
Expodite writes its summary from the official record. The notification and the documents it notifies are on the WTO's own websites.
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