South Triangle News

Rep. Richard Hudson, a major critic of President Biden’s pistol brace rule, released a statement expressing his opposition to the rule and support of the Congressional Review Act resolution which would stop the rule from being implemented.

“This blatant attack on our rights by President Biden’s ATF must be stopped. Their plan is to turn millions of law-abiding gun owners and combat-disabled veterans into felons overnight. I am proud to lead this legislation with Rep. Clyde and thank Leader Scalise for his work to bring it forward,” Hudson (R-NC), said according to a press release issued on June 8.

In the release, Hudson argued that implementing such a rule would constitute a violation of individual rights. The rule outlined in the statement aims to reclassify pistols equipped with stabilizing brace attachments as short-barreled rifles. The House is set to vote on the Congressional Review Act resolution next week.

For years, Hudson has actively campaigned against the implementation of the ATF (The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) rule, according to the statement. He initiated his efforts by writing a letter to Attorney General William Barr and Acting ATF Director Regina Lombardo in 2020. Since then, he has made multiple additional attempts. Most recently, in March, he co-sponsored the No Registry Act, further solidifying his stance, according to a press release.

“The Biden Administration has unleashed unelected bureaucrats in the ATF to criminalize firearm ownership for millions of Americans,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, according to the press release. “This is an unconstitutional assault on the Second Amendment and another example of President Biden’s weaponization of the federal government against hard-working American families. Americans are already seeing this administration attempt to wrap red tape around every aspect of their daily lives, from the cars they drive to the stoves they use.”

Scalise said attempting to penalize firearm ownership is another example of radical executive overreach. He asked what unalienable rights will be targeted next, the release reported. The House Majority Leader also thanked Rep. Andrew Clyde and Hudson for leading on this legislation that defends the right to bear arms and shut down another Biden power grab.

“ATF’s arbitrary rule for pistols equipped with stabilizing braces reversed over a decade of agency guidance and rulings that millions of law-abiding American gun owners had relied upon,” Randy Kozuch, executive director of National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, according to the press release. “The NRA supports H.J.Res.44 and urges all members of the U.S. House of Representatives to overturn ATF’s unlawful brace rule and block the agency from reissuing the same rule in the future.”

The AFT rule carries severe consequences for violations, the release reported, including potential imprisonment of up to 10 years and significant fines. Additionally, the penalties may involve the destruction of firearms, their surrender, or the removal of the pistol brace.