Pistol Brace Rules Dismissed by ATF

The ATF’s regulations on pistol braces were officially discarded on July 17, 2025, after an agreement from President Trump’s Department of Justice to dismiss a lawsuit initiated during the Biden administration.

The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced this outcome, stating, “This afternoon, the Firearms Policy Coalition and the federal government agreed to jointly dismiss the government’s appeal. The lawsuit, Mock v. Bondi, effectively challenged the ATF’s ban on pistol braces and achieved injunctive relief for gun owners, leading to this crucial ruling that nullified the previous regulations.”

Daniel Defense, a renowned AR-15 manufacturer, also lauded this development.

According to Breitbart News, the Pistol Brace rules were first published in the federal register on January 31, 2023, triggering a wave of lawsuits against them shortly thereafter.

The ATF’s regulations classified AR pistols with braces as short-barreled rifles under the National Firearms Act (NFA), imposing strict registration requirements and a lengthy purchasing process.

Brandon Combs, the president of the Firearms Policy Coalition, shared his thoughts on the dismissal of the rules, emphasizing that the right to bear arms is protected under the Second Amendment. He expressed excitement over this significant win for freedom, hoping to challenge more unconstitutional laws that restrict how individuals choose to exercise their rights.