December 23, 2020
News from Reeves & Dola, LLP
ATF to Withdraw Its Notice on Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with Stabilizing Braces

It hasn't even been a week, but the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ("ATF") will be withdrawing its Notice on the Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with "Stabilizing Braces". Marvin Richardson, Associate Deputy Director of ATF, signed the withdrawal notice, which reads as follows:

"Upon further consultation with the Department of Justice and the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, ATF is withdrawing, pending further Department of Justice review, the notice and request for comments entitled “Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with ‘Stabilizing Braces’,” that was published on December 18, 2020. 85 FR 82516. As explained in the notice, the proposed guidance was not a regulation. The notice informed and invited comment from the industry and public on a proposed guidance prior to issuing a final guidance document.

The withdrawal of the guidance does not change any law, regulation, or other legally binding requirement."

The withdrawal notice is dated December 23, 2020, but it has not yet been published officially in the Federal Register. We expect to see the unofficial public inspection release tomorrow, December 24, 2020, with an official publication date on or around December 28, 2020.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Reeves & Dola!

The above alert is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed or used as legal advice. Receipt of this alert does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

Questions about this alert may be directed to:

Johanna Reeves: 202-715-9941, jreeves@reevesdola.com
About Reeves & Dola
Reeves & Dola is a Washington, DC law firm that specializes in helping clients navigate the highly regulated and complex world of manufacturing, sales and international trade of defense and commercial products. We have a deep understanding of the Federal regulatory process, and use our expertise in working with a variety of Federal agencies to assist our clients with their transactional and regulatory needs.
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