Tip of the Day

Now that the pistol brace rule is officially dead, you can legally reattach your stabilizing brace to your AR pistols without fear of federal penalties—just make sure your state laws also allow it. However, this is the perfect time to double-check your overall firearm configuration. Consider adding back accessories like red dot sights, angled grips, and lights to optimize your setup. Also, keep documentation proving your build dates and parts in case any future rule changes occur. Stay legal, stay ready—and enjoy your newfound freedom with a more comfortable and controlled shooting experience.

Sponsored By C.O.P.S. Gunshop

Let's Chat About Our Current Specials

10% off All Pistol Braces at C.O.P.S. Gunshop

YOUR TRUSTED PROVIDER OF QUALITY FIREARMS, ACCESSORIES, AND KNOWLEDGE FOR A SAFER, SMARTER GUN OWNER

Trivia Question❓

The ATF originally approved pistol braces to help disabled shooters stabilize their firearms. Over time, however, they became wildly popular among gun owners for their versatility. In 2023, the ATF attempted to enforce a new rule requiring brace owners to register their firearms as NFA items or remove the brace. What key legal principle did the courts cite when overturning the brace rule in 2024?

_{Answer at the bottom of the newsletter}

News of the Week - Pistol Brace Rule is Dead

In July 2025, the controversial 2023 ATF rule classifying many firearms with stabilizing braces as short‑barreled rifles was permanently overturned. The Department of Justice declined to appeal the Mock v. Bondi decision, effectively ending rule enforcement nationwide. The initial ATF regulation had required brace-equipped pistols under specific length thresholds to be registered under the National Firearms Act with tax stamps and paperwork. Courts found the rule violated the Administrative Procedure Act by exceeding ATF authority and lacking proper rulemaking. With appeals dropped, brace-equipped pistols are now lawful under federal law, providing long-term certainty for owners and manufacturers.

Read More…

Interesting Facts

• 1 Pistol braces were originally invented in 2012 by a disabled veteran to help fellow wounded vets shoot AR-style pistols more safely and accurately.

• 2 Despite their widespread use, the ATF issued over a dozen conflicting opinions on pistol braces from 2012 to 2023, creating years of confusion for gun owners and manufacturers.

• 3 Some pistol braces are designed to mimic traditional stocks in appearance, but as long as they weren’t intended to be shouldered, they were originally legal—making intent a key factor in past legal battles.

Pistol Brace Rule Abandoned

The federal government has formally dropped its appeal in Mock v. Bondi, effectively ending the ATF’s pistol brace ban. Under that ATF rule, brace‑equipped pistols were reclassified as short‑barreled rifles and subjected to National Firearms Act regulation. Following a decisive summary judgment last July that vacated the rule, this week the DOJ agreed to dismiss its appeal, reaffirming the court’s ruling. Legal advocates hailed the move as a major Second Amendment victory, emphasizing that the ATF had overstepped its authority. With the appeal withdrawn, brace-equipped pistols are now federally lawful without NFA registration.

Read More…

Quote of the Day

"The pistol brace was never the problem—just the latest excuse to chip away at freedom. Now it's our reminder: never stop standing guard over your rights."

Joke of the Day

Why did the pistol brace throw a party?
Because it finally got the right to bear arms—without a tax stamp!

Victory Over Pistol Brace Rule
by Sam Wood

Victory at Last: The Pistol Brace Wars Are Finally Over

The dust has settled, and freedom has won. After nearly two grueling years of legal warfare that had millions of gun owners living under the shadow of potential felony charges, the Biden administration's pistol brace rule has been officially relegated to the ash heap of history.

In a quiet but monumental move last week, the Department of Justice threw in the towel, filing a joint stipulation in Mock v. Bondi that dismissed their appeal and made permanent the 2024 district court ruling that obliterated the rule. With that single filing, the ATF's audacious attempt to transform millions of lawfully-owned braced pistols into NFA-regulated short-barreled rifles died a well-deserved death.

The Battle That Shook the Gun World

This wasn't just another regulatory skirmish—this was an existential fight for the Second Amendment. The ATF's rule would have instantly criminalized an estimated 10 to 40 million stabilizing braces already in American gun safes, forcing owners to either register their firearms under the National Firearms Act (complete with $200 tax stamps and federal background checks), modify their guns, or face felony prosecution.

The Firearms Policy Coalition, alongside individual gun owners and industry heavyweight Maxim Defense, mounted a fierce legal counterattack. Their argument was surgical in its precision: the ATF had gone rogue, exceeding its statutory authority and trampling the Administrative Procedure Act by issuing a rule that bore no resemblance to what they originally proposed.

Federal judges didn't just agree—they eviscerated the rule, declaring it unlawfully "legislative" and "unconstitutionally vague." It was a judicial beatdown that sent shockwaves through the gun control establishment.

What This Means for Gun Owners

The implications are massive. With the DOJ's surrender, that nationwide vacatur is now carved in stone. No more living in fear of arbitrary enforcement. No more $200 extortion fees disguised as tax stamps. No more treating law-abiding Americans like criminals for owning a piece of polymer and aluminum designed to help disabled veterans and others shoot more accurately.

Gun rights advocates are calling this "the final nail in the coffin of this unconstitutional assault on gun owners," and they're not wrong. Industry insiders are hailing it as "a monumental step" that restores sanity to a marketplace that had been paralyzed by regulatory uncertainty.

The Bottom Line

Today, federal law is crystal clear: your braced pistol is legal, period. No registration required, no NFA hoops to jump through—unless your firearm independently meets rifle criteria like having an actual shoulder stock or a barrel shorter than 16 inches.

Of course, smart gun owners will still verify their state laws and keep documentation of their configurations. After all, we've learned that government overreach is like a hydra—cut off one head, and two more might grow back under the next administration.

But for now, the brace battle is over. Common sense has prevailed, constitutional rights have been vindicated, and millions of Americans can sleep soundly knowing their firearms are safe from bureaucratic tyranny. Whether you're a disabled veteran who relies on a brace for stability, a competitive shooter seeking precision, or simply an American who believes in constitutional rights, this victory belongs to all of us.

The Second Amendment endures, and so does our freedom to bear arms—braces and all.

Secret Little Hack

A great hack for maximizing control with a pistol brace is to use a single-point sling tension method—attach a sling, push the pistol forward to create tension, and it naturally stabilizes your aim without shouldering. This improves accuracy and maneuverability while staying within legal use.

💡Answer to the Trivia Question:

The courts cited the rule as a violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), stating the ATF overstepped its authority by creating new regulations without proper legislative process or public input.

A Newsletter Dedicated to Responsible Gun Ownership, Education, and Tactical Operations.

Brought To You By:

Austin Warfield - Owner of C.O.P.S. Gun Shop - as a retired police officer, Austin has been involved in numerous community events over the years.  His firm beliefs in the 2nd Amendment and the fundamentals that all citizens have the right to bear arms to not only hunt to provide for their family, but for defense either against their property and lives, but be able to prevent the overreach of government within our rights.  he wants to share his joy of gun ownership with all safely and responsibly.

Chris Pine - Chris is a dedicated father and husband who also serves in the Oklahoma National Guard.  He understands the sacrifices that 1st responders and the military make to protect our communities and rights for the greater good.  He has a long-time love of firearms and competitive shooting.  He is always looking for ways to share his knowledge with both new and experienced firearm enthusiasts.

Sam Wood: More Than Just a Writer

In the heart of a small, close-knit community where every face was familiar, Sam Wood learned life's most valuable lessons. His upbringing wasn't easy; he faced his share of hardships and adversities that tested his resolve. Yet, it was these very challenges that shaped his tenacity and belief in the power of perseverance. Sam often shares stories of the mentors and community figures who saw potential in him when he couldn't see it in himself, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community that raised him.

Sam's entrepreneurial spirit was kindled in his early twenties, leading him from a daring venture into a thriving business. His success as a business owner is a testament to his grit, but Sam is quick to point out that his journey was peppered with failures as much as triumphs. It's in discussing these moments of vulnerability that Sam truly connects with his readers, reminding them that every setback is just a setup for a comeback.

Though guns and advocacy have been his mainstay, Sam's life is rich with passions that paint the full picture of who he is. An avid outdoorsman, he finds peace and solace in the wilderness, often sharing tales of his expeditions hunting, fishing, and exploring. These adventures are more than hobbies; they're a return to his roots and a way to connect with the earth and himself.

Sam's commitment to making a positive impact is evident in his volunteer work, especially in educating young people about gun safety and responsible ownership. He believes in empowerment through knowledge, a value instilled in him by the mentors of his youth.

Family and friendships anchor Sam's world. He speaks fondly of family dinners that could easily pass for debates, where lively discussions on politics, history, and philosophy were the norm. These gatherings not only deepened his understanding of the world but also his convictions about gun ownership and personal freedom.

Sam's friends describe him as a man of integrity, grounded by the core values of freedom, responsibility, and respect. Yet, they're quick to point out his lighter side—his quick wit, love for practical jokes, and an uncanny ability to find humor in the mundane. It's this blend of depth and light-heartedness that makes his writing so compelling.

Despite not following a traditional educational path, Sam's knowledge and insights command respect. His writing, marked by a first-person conversational tone, wit, and humor, makes complex gun issues accessible and engaging. But more than that, it's a reflection of the man himself—complex, nuanced, and profoundly human.

Sam Wood may have started as a small-town boy, but through his resilience, he's become a beacon of inspiration and a voice for responsible gun ownership. Residing now in Comfort, Texas, he continues to advocate, educate, and connect with people through his stories and experiences. In every piece he writes, Sam aims not just to inform but to remind us of our shared humanity and the values that unite us.