March 24, 2022 Open Letter to All Federal Firearms Licensees

[Dust2Dollars]

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ March 24, 2022 "forced reset triggers" Open Letter to All Federal Firearms Licensees ​ ​ ​ ​ The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently examined devices commonly known as "forced reset triggers" (FRTs) and has determined that some of them are "firearms" and "machineguns" as defined in the National Firearms Act (NFA), and "machineguns" as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA). These particular FRTs are being marketed as replacement triggers for AR-type firearms. Unlike traditional triggers and binary triggers (sometimes referred to generally as "FRTs"), the subject FRTs do not require shooters to pull and then subsequently release the trigger to fire a second shot. Instead, these FRTs utilize the firing cycle to eliminate the need for the shooter to release the trigger before a second shot is fired. By contrast, some after-market triggers have similar components but also incorporate a disconnector or similar feature to ensure that the trigger must be released before a second shot may be fired and may not be machineguns. Both the NFA and GCA regulate machineguns. "Machinegun" is defined under 26 U.S.C. § 5845(b) and 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(23) as— Any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person. (Emphasis added.) ATF's examination found that some FRT devices allow a firearm to automatically expel more than one shot with a single, continuous pull of the trigger. For this reason, ATF has concluded that FRTs that function in this way are a combination of parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and hence, ATF has classified these devices as a "machinegun" as defined by the NFA and GCA. Accordingly, ATF's position is that any FRT that allows a firearm to automatically expel more than one shot with a single, continuous pull of the trigger is a "machinegun", and is accordingly subject to the GCA prohibitions regarding the possession, transfer, and transport of machineguns under 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(o) and 922(a)(4). They are also subject to registration, transfer, taxation, and possession restrictions under the NFA. See 26 U.S.C. §§ 5841, 5861; 27 CFR 479.101. Under 26 U.S.C. § 5871, any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of the NFA may be fined up to $10,000 per violation and is subject to imprisonment for a term of up to ten years. Further, pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 5872, any machinegun possessed or transferred in violation of the NFA is subject to seizure and forfeiture. Under 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(2), any person who violates § 922(o) may be sent to prison for up to 10 years and fined up to $250,000 per person or $500,000 per organization. Based on ATF's determination that the FRTs that function as described above are "machineguns" under the NFA and GCA, ATF intends to take appropriate remedial action with respect to sellers and possessors of these devices. Current possessors of these devices are encouraged to contact ATF for further guidance on how they may divest possession. If you are uncertain whether the device you possess is a machinegun as defined by the GCA and NFA, please contact your local ATF Field Office. You may consult the local ATF Office's webpage for office contact information. Alphonso Hughes Assistant Director Enforcement Programs and Services George Lauder Assistant Director Field Operations​ [h4][/h4] ​

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[Caveman Jim]

Sooooooooo, we will be subjected to pay a $200 sin tax on these now???
Asking for a friend.

 

[User 1234]

No, they would be post-May 1986 non-transferable machine guns so only SOTs could buy them.

 

[Caveman Jim]

FARK!!!

 

[billdeserthills]

Say, I got a letter as an FFL, years ago from the ATF that said I was not allowed to sell a gun to anybody with a medical marijuana card. I tossed it in the trash & that's where this letter would wind up too

 

[arakboss]

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​ ​ ​ ​ ​ March 24, 2022 "forced reset triggers" Open Letter to All Federal Firearms Licensees ​ ​ ​ ​ The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently examined devices commonly known as "forced reset triggers" (FRTs) and has determined that some of them are "firearms" and "machineguns" as defined in the National Firearms Act (NFA), and "machineguns" as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA). These particular FRTs are being marketed as replacement triggers for AR-type firearms. Unlike traditional triggers and binary triggers (sometimes referred to generally as "FRTs"), the subject FRTs do not require shooters to pull and then subsequently release the trigger to fire a second shot. Instead, these FRTs utilize the firing cycle to eliminate the need for the shooter to release the trigger before a second shot is fired. By contrast, some after-market triggers have similar components but also incorporate a disconnector or similar feature to ensure that the trigger must be released before a second shot may be fired and may not be machineguns. Both the NFA and GCA regulate machineguns. "Machinegun" is defined under 26 U.S.C. § 5845(b) and 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(23) as— Any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person. (Emphasis added.) ATF's examination found that some FRT devices allow a firearm to automatically expel more than one shot with a single, continuous pull of the trigger. For this reason, ATF has concluded that FRTs that function in this way are a combination of parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and hence, ATF has classified these devices as a "machinegun" as defined by the NFA and GCA. Accordingly, ATF's position is that any FRT that allows a firearm to automatically expel more than one shot with a single, continuous pull of the trigger is a "machinegun", and is accordingly subject to the GCA prohibitions regarding the possession, transfer, and transport of machineguns under 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(o) and 922(a)(4). They are also subject to registration, transfer, taxation, and possession restrictions under the NFA. See 26 U.S.C. §§ 5841, 5861; 27 CFR 479.101. Under 26 U.S.C. § 5871, any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of the NFA may be fined up to $10,000 per violation and is subject to imprisonment for a term of up to ten years. Further, pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 5872, any machinegun possessed or transferred in violation of the NFA is subject to seizure and forfeiture. Under 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(2), any person who violates § 922(o) may be sent to prison for up to 10 years and fined up to $250,000 per person or $500,000 per organization. Based on ATF's determination that the FRTs that function as described above are "machineguns" under the NFA and GCA, ATF intends to take appropriate remedial action with respect to sellers and possessors of these devices. Current possessors of these devices are encouraged to contact ATF for further guidance on how they may divest possession. If you are uncertain whether the device you possess is a machinegun as defined by the GCA and NFA, please contact your local ATF Field Office. You may consult the local ATF Office's webpage for office contact information. Alphonso Hughes Assistant Director Enforcement Programs and Services George Lauder Assistant Director Field Operations​ [h4][/h4] ​

If you call the local ATF branch they will give you an address so you can send yours in for evaluation. Be sure to include your contact info in case they want to visit you after evaluating your FRT.

 

[Mike_M57]

I'm going to invent an FRT with an LED bulb inside.

I want to go to court with the ATF. I want to be accused of lighting my FRTs.

Bring it.

 

[308]

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ March 24, 2022 "forced reset triggers" Open Letter to All Federal Firearms Licensees ​ ​ ​ ​ The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently examined devices commonly known as "forced reset triggers" (FRTs) and has determined that some of them are "firearms" and "machineguns" as defined in the National Firearms Act (NFA), and "machineguns" as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA). These particular FRTs are being marketed as replacement triggers for AR-type firearms. Unlike traditional triggers and binary triggers (sometimes referred to generally as "FRTs"), the subject FRTs do not require shooters to pull and then subsequently release the trigger to fire a second shot. Instead, these FRTs utilize the firing cycle to eliminate the need for the shooter to release the trigger before a second shot is fired. By contrast, some after-market triggers have similar components but also incorporate a disconnector or similar feature to ensure that the trigger must be released before a second shot may be fired and may not be machineguns. Both the NFA and GCA regulate machineguns. "Machinegun" is defined under 26 U.S.C. § 5845(b) and 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(23) as— Any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person. (Emphasis added.) ATF's examination found that some FRT devices allow a firearm to automatically expel more than one shot with a single, continuous pull of the trigger. For this reason, ATF has concluded that FRTs that function in this way are a combination of parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and hence, ATF has classified these devices as a "machinegun" as defined by the NFA and GCA. Accordingly, ATF's position is that any FRT that allows a firearm to automatically expel more than one shot with a single, continuous pull of the trigger is a "machinegun", and is accordingly subject to the GCA prohibitions regarding the possession, transfer, and transport of machineguns under 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(o) and 922(a)(4). They are also subject to registration, transfer, taxation, and possession restrictions under the NFA. See 26 U.S.C. §§ 5841, 5861; 27 CFR 479.101. Under 26 U.S.C. § 5871, any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of the NFA may be fined up to $10,000 per violation and is subject to imprisonment for a term of up to ten years. Further, pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 5872, any machinegun possessed or transferred in violation of the NFA is subject to seizure and forfeiture. Under 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(2), any person who violates § 922(o) may be sent to prison for up to 10 years and fined up to $250,000 per person or $500,000 per organization. Based on ATF's determination that the FRTs that function as described above are "machineguns" under the NFA and GCA, ATF intends to take appropriate remedial action with respect to sellers and possessors of these devices. Current possessors of these devices are encouraged to contact ATF for further guidance on how they may divest possession. If you are uncertain whether the device you possess is a machinegun as defined by the GCA and NFA, please contact your local ATF Field Office. You may consult the local ATF Office's webpage for office contact information. Alphonso Hughes Assistant Director Enforcement Programs and Services George Lauder Assistant Director Field Operations​ [h4][/h4] ​

Is Alphonso worried about those Ukrainian 'farmers' who will soon be receiving full-auto 'defensive' weapons courtesy of the Brandon admin? Jen Psaki explained…'these are only defensive use weapons'……so I guess some F/A weapons are not 'assault' weapons, but rather 'defensive' weapons….any thoughts, Alphonso?

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Good discussion on it here

 

[JustSomeGuy]

I think they've confused a "single function of the trigger" with a single function of the trigger finger. Mechanically, the trigger itself is performing multiple functions. So, by their own definition, it cannot be classified as a machinegun.

 

[salmon creek gary]

Is Alphonso worried about those Ukrainian 'farmers' who will soon be receiving full-auto 'defensive' weapons courtesy of the Brandon admin? Jen Psaki explained…'these are only defensive use weapons'……so I guess some F/A weapons are not 'assault' weapons, but rather 'defensive' weapons….any thoughts, Alphonso?

Did she really say that? That is just super, and I'd love to see the expression on gun-grabbers' faces when they heard that. Cringe.
My semiautomatic is NOT an assault rifle, it is a defensive use weapon, so keepa you hands off!

I can just hear an official gun grabber spokesperson trying to walk that one back, "Jen Psaki is not authorized to invent new firearms definitions; that is an official privilege reserved only to those of us who fervently believe inanimate objects cause violent crime."

 

[308]

Did she really say that? That is just super, and I'd love to see the expression on gun-grabbers' faces when they heard that. Cringe.
My semiautomatic is NOT an assault rifle, it is a defensive use weapon, so keepa you hands off!

I can just hear an official gun grabber spokesperson trying to walk that one back, "Jen Psaki is not authorized to invent new firearms definitions; that is an official privilege reserved only to those of us who fervently believe inanimate objects cause violent crime."

Jenn girlsplains…

 

[TTSX]

How many years of this bull crap do we have left? Almost 3?

 

[Rkangel]

I can think of some opening letters for them...starting with "F"... but this is a family forum.