Biden’s Transition Team Meets With the ATF

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In a not so shocking turn of events, Joe Biden’s presidential transition team has met with ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo and Associate Deputy Director Marvin Richardson with the goal being to ban pistol braces and 80% lowers. The meeting was a conference call on November 10th, where Biden’s team wanted to find out what the “main priorities” of the ATF were going to be. Lombardo responded by revealing her plan to prohibit pistol braces and 80% lowers.

The ATF has already made an attempt at making pistol braces illegal when they sent a cease and desist letter to multiple companies, including Q LLC who went public with the letter. Due to backlash from the general public, as well as pressure from the Trump administration, the ATF doubled back and granted a 60-day reprieve on their decision.

As you can see the ATF has a track record of trying to trample all over our Second Amendment rights. The main issue is that the rules for the ATF are subjective when it comes to making a judgment on things such as a pistol brace or an 80% lower. It depends on the reviewer who is assigned to evaluate the brace or lower that gets to determine whether it is legal or not. That is too much power for any individual in government to have. There is no set standard that the reviewer must abide by.

They Are Not the Only Ones

We think it is pretty well known that uneducated gun control groups have been trying to dictate what the American public can and can’t have based on their irrational beliefs. California, as well as other state and local jurisdictions, and gun control groups in the United States, have teamed up and filed a lawsuit against the ATF in an attempt to ban 80% firearms throughout the United States (Syracuse v. BATFE). The ATF has previously reviewed and made a determination as to what qualifies as an 80% lower or a “receiver blank.” The ATF has long held that items such as receiver blanks, “castings,” or “machined bodies” in which the fire-control group area is completely solid and un-machined, have not reached the “stage of manufacture” which would result in the classification of a firearm according to the Gun Control Act of 1968.

These gun control groups are challenging the ATF, stating that the ATF’s definition of an 80% lower is wrong and that their subjective definition of an 80% lower is correct. The audacity of these people sees no end. For them to try and dictate what the American public can and can’t have is ludicrous, and I can tell you we will not stand idly by and watch this happen.

80 Percent Arms and the FPC Team Up

We here at 80 Percent Arms have teamed up with the Firearm Policy Coalition to intervene in this lawsuit by filing a motion to intervene. We do not believe that the ATF will represent our interests or the interests of our customers, law-abiding American citizens who like to regularly exercise their rights. In filing this motion to intervene, we will be granted a voice in the proceedings. Due to the fact that the ATF must account for multiple points of view, there is no way they will adequately represent us. Gun control groups are aware of this, which is why they choose to go after the ATF. The ATF will, of course, want to defend themselves and their decisions but they ultimately lose nothing if the court rules against them. This is why we have stepped in.

We have filed this motion in a timely manner and have given absolutely every respect to the federal court system. We are still waiting to hear back from the courts if our motion to intervene will be granted. We promise that we won’t abandon our efforts if, for any reason, we are denied our intervention we have plans to file suit with prejudice. We will sue and fight whoever we need to ensure our rights as American citizens are protected. If gun control advocates get their way, they will not only destroy a thriving American industry but turn law-abiding citizens into criminals.

More detailed information about this lawsuit and our part in it can be found HERE.

What Is an 80% Lower?

At this point, you might be asking yourself, “what is an 80% lower, and why are they so important?” An 80% lower, also known as a receiver blank, is essentially a block of aluminum. As stated earlier, the ATF sees it as a receiver blank until the fire control group pocket (trigger pocket) is milled out. Once the trigger pocket is milled out, it is then classified as a firearm under the Gun Control Act of 1968.

Once you reach this stage there are a few things to consider. Where you live is a huge factor in how you will be building your rifle. There are federal laws in place in regards to 80% lowers, but your local and state laws are what should be reviewed to ensure your compliance. You also need to consider the configuration you wish to make your rifle. If you wish to build a short-barreled rifle, also known as an SBR, you should definitely review the NFA.

Why Are 80% Receivers So Important?

In the past, car companies have tried to make it so you have to go to their mechanics to repair or upgrade your vehicle. The Supreme Court ruled that unconstitutional. They explained that once you purchase a vehicle, it is yours to do with whatever you want within the confines of the law. The same goes for firearms, once it is my property, I have every right to modify it, so long as I obey the law. When I was growing up, I used to rebuild motorcycles with my dad. We would find a good frame, build an engine, get the drivetrain working. I still remember the pride we shared in our work at the end of every project. I did the same thing with my uncle, but we built firearms. Finding a high-quality receiver, getting an awesome lower parts kit, and choosing a barrel with the right twist to it. Then hitting the range and enjoying your hard work. That is a true American hobby.

Simply being able to build your own rifle from scratch isn’t what makes an 80% lower so important. Throughout most of the country, so long as you have no intent to sell your rifle, you do not need to serialize your lower once built. This means the government has no record of your ownership. Gun control groups try to persuade the public that this is a terrible thing. It isn’t. History has shown us time and again that a national firearm registry can be used for nefarious purposes. Possibly the most infamous example came when Hitler used Germany’s national firearm registry to persecute his political opponents and anyone else he deemed a threat. Thinking of the past reminds me of a saying by philosopher George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

How Can You Help?

I am sure you are wondering what you can do to help us in this fight. I promise you, you are not helpless.

The FPC has a grassroots membership program to join them in their fight to preserve our liberties. If a monthly donation is not an option for you do not worry, they also accept one-time donations, as well as have a merchandise store where all proceeds go to supporting their efforts.

Another way to fight back is to visit our site and stock up on everything 80% related today! Build to your heart’s content and show gun grabbers that they will never take away our rights! Your continued support of not only us and the FPC but the firearms industry collectively helps fuel our fight against those that would wish to strip us of our inalienable rights.

CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE 80% TODAY!

AAN Staff