Pinehurst Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 13, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) delivered remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives in support of H.J. Res. 44, a resolution he introduced to prevent the Biden Administration’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from enforcing an unconstitutional pistol brace ban.

“A new regulation by President Joe Biden’s ATF on pistol braces has turned millions of combat wounded veterans and law-abiding citizens into felons overnight,” said Rep. Hudson. “This travesty illustrates the dangers of an unchecked federal agency that is willing to go around Congress and the millions of constituents we represent. Americans are tired of unelected bureaucrats making up new laws, and I want to thank Rep. Clyde for partnering with me to lead this legislation—with bipartisan support—through the House.”

Watch Rep. Hudson’s full floor remarks.

In March, Reps. Richard Hudson and Andrew Clyde (GA-09) introduced H.J. Res 44. Sens. John Kennedy (R-LA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced a companion resolution in the Senate.

Following his remarks on the House floor, Rep. Hudson spoke at a press conference with Rep. Clyde and fellow House Republicans in front of the Capitol to further emphasize his support H.J. Res. 44. 

Background:

On January 31, President Biden’s ATF issued a rule entitled Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached Stabilizing Braces that would reclassify pistols as short-barreled rifles if they have a stabilizing brace attachment. Stabilizing braces were first designed and intended to help combat-wounded veterans fire large-format pistols and continue to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Under this rule, many disabled veterans and other Americans who rely on these braces would lose the ability to shoot these firearms.

Under this rule, otherwise lawful gun owners could face up to 10 years in jail and thousands of dollars in fines if they fail to register pistols with stabilizing braces with the ATF. If gun owners do not register their firearms, they must destroy the firearm, surrender their firearm to the ATF, or remove the brace in such a way that it cannot be reattached and for some disabled veterans, cannot be used again. 

Rep. Hudson has been a vocal proponent against the ATF's unconstitutional rules regarding stabilizing braces:

• In December 2020, Rep. Hudson led 89 members of Congress in a letter to Attorney General William Barr and Acting ATF director Regina Lombardo regarding a proposed rule that would regulate pistol stabilizing braces. 
• In June 2021, Rep. Hudson led 140 Members of the House of Representatives in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Acting ATF Director Marvin Richardson, urging the Department of Justice to again withdraw proposed guidance. The rule was dropped following Rep. Hudson’s efforts.
• In July 2021, Rep. Hudson hosted a press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol with fellow Republican leaders and military veterans to discuss how the regulation on pistol stabilizing braces proposed by the ATF would jeopardize the ability of disabled combat veterans to exercise their rights.

Original source can be found here.