In the last few weeks We’ve received a ton of messages from people who are concerned that the ATF is in the process of redefining AR pistols, like the RöK, and classifying them as SBR’s. If this were true, it could potentially make overnight felons of any AR pistol owners…. good thing it isn’t true.
A few weeks ago the ATF issued a cease and desist letter to Q, LLC., the manufacturer of the Honey Badger pistol. Many took this as a sign that the ATF was targeting all weapons of this type. It’s important to note that the ATF letter is SPECIFIC to the Honey Badger, and it has no official bearing on other weapons or companies. Also, the suspension on that company manufacturing/selling that particular weapon is only for 60-days. At the end of which, the DOJ will presumably make a ruling on the matter. Bottom line: this has nothing to do with us, the RöK pistol, you, or anyone other than owners of the Honey Badger and Q, LLC.
Yesterday, a renewed panic ensued after a law firm drafted a letter with their interpretation on what the ATF might do regarding imported AR pistols. The important words in that sentence are MIGHT and IMPORTED. Again, this has nothing to do with any of us, or the RöK, or really any specific weapons at all, especially those made in the US.
Nothing to be alarmed about. The sky isn’t falling. Settle down.
I’m not saying we should ignore this, in fact we should all complain loudly and often that the ATF is overstepping its mandate, and using administrative interpretation to enact gun control laws that haven’t been voted on or enacted through proper procedure. Talk to, write, and call your elected officials to voice your concerns.
On a related note, the RöK is legally categorized as a pistol. Some of the key design requirements to that classification are barrel length, overall length, length of pull, and not having a RIFLE STOCK. The RöK meets all of those requirements, but I’ll focus on the last bit. You can’t have a rifle stock on a pistol, and the primary purpose of a pistol brace must be to “stabilize” the firearm, not to “shoulder” it as you would a rifle. Does that mean that you’re breaking the law if you “shoulder” an AR pistol? Does it magically turn into a rifle the moment you do? Nope. In 2019 the ATF clarified that it is LEGAL to shoulder a brace for “incidental, sporadic, or situational ‘use’”.
In short, how you hold a firearm doesn’t change the legal classification of it.
So, AR pistol owners, no need to panic…. but let’s continue to keep an eye on the ATF for any future shenanigans.
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