Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
On July 1, 2021 Representative Jeff Duncan from South Carolina introduced a bill to remove short barreled shotguns from the National Firearms Act. The intent of the bill is to remove the burdensome $200.00 tax and registration scheme required to own and possess such firearms. While we’re being attacked by the Biden-Harris administration and anti freedom caucus in the way of draconian policies being considered, we do have several lawmakers that aim to protect our civil rights. From Duncan’s press release:
…in response to the Biden Administration’s proposed rule regarding pistol stabilizing braces, Congressman Jeff Duncan introduced the No Frivolous Applications for Short-Barreled Shotguns (NFA SBS) Act.
This legislation will remove Short-Barreled Shotguns (SBSs) from the National Firearms Act (NFA) to allow SBSs to be treated just as any other shotgun, thus preventing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) from forcing otherwise law-abiding gun owners to destroy, register, or surrender their legally acquired pistol-braced firearms.
H.R. 4312 the No Frivolous Applications for Short-Barreled Shotguns (NFA SBS) Act is poised to stave off the administrative attacks from the rogue Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. Duncan’s announcement further explains:
The ATF’s proposed rule specifically states that any smooth-bore non-NFA firearm equipped with a “stabilizing brace” will automatically be considered a short-barreled shotgun, subjecting an entire class of firearms to overburdensome regulations with a stroke of a pen. Fortunately, Congress can remove any ambiguity Biden’s ATF may take advantage of by removing short-barreled firearms from the NFA altogether.
“With well-known gun control activist, David Chipman, one step closer to his confirmation as head of the ATF, the time to stop Biden’s anti-gun agenda is now,” said Congressman Jeff Duncan.
A provision in the law like this truly would be a “slam Duncan”. The Congressman is no stranger to looking at enhancing the rights of freedom loving Americans. Formerly Duncan has introduced the house version of the Hearing Protection Act, a bill that looks to remove the same onerous process from obtaining a firearm suppressor.
One of the interesting things that came up in the release is how the NFA originally worked to usurp freedoms under the guise of “public safety”. We can see how things often turn into a bait and switch when proposals are made to the public.
This barrel length restriction is a relic of prohibition-era gang hysteria that led to a failed attempt to regulate handguns strictly. Unfortunately, other concealable weapons, such as Short-Barreled Shotguns, Short-Barreled Rifles, and suppressors, were caught in the mix as a way to prevent loopholes for concealable weapons alternatives to pistols.
We’re no stranger to “hysteria” being leaned on to garner public support for these kinds of laws. Gun grabbers have been cultivating fear and using illogical arguments to push their radical agenda of civilian disarmament.
The National Firearms Act is completely unconstitutional to begin with. After being able to look back at then near 100 year old failed law, there have been no enhancements to public safety since its introduction. Criminals that wish to commit crime with short barreled rifles or shotguns have no issue with “sawing” them off, NFA tax stamp be damned. Having to play “Mother may I” in the form of registering items regulated under the NFA equates to financial extortion. Bills such as this one should be embraced. Complete abolishment of the NFA would serve the people better, but taking back freedoms incrementally is a formidable tactic. Like many bills that are going to remove restrictions to freedoms, there are no high hopes that this proposed law will land on the Resolute Desk.
The proposed text for the bill can be viewed HERE.
The other legislators that are sentient to protecting our freedoms that joined Duncan in the introduction of this bill are; Representatives Robert Aderholt (AL), Brian Babin (TX), Gus Bilirakis (FL), Dan Bishop (NC), Lauren Boebert (CO), Ted Budd (NC), Madison Cawthorn (NC), Rick Crawford (AR), Warren Davidson (OH), Scott DesJarlais (TN), Van Drew (NJ), Scott Franklin (FL), Matt Gaetz (FL), Bob Gibbs (OH), Bob Good (VA), Lance Gooden (TX), Michael Guest (MS), Andy Harris (MD), Kevin Hern (OK), Jody Hice (GA), Fred Keller (PA), Mike Kelly (PA), Doug LaMalfa (CA), Tracey Mann (KS), Alex Mooney (WV), Barry Moore (AL), Markwayne Mullin (OK), Ralph Norman (SC), Guy Reschenthaler (PA), Matt Rosendale (MT), Chip Roy (TX), Jason Smith (MO), Elise Stefanik (NY), Thomas Tiffany (WI), William Timmons (SC), Tim Walberg (MI), Roger Williams (TX), Randy Feenstra (IA), Dan Crenshaw (TX), Garret Graves (LA), and Randy Weber (TX).