Trump wants the pistol brace ban to end…so why is the DOJ still enforcing it?
It seems odd that President Donald Trump is campaigning to end previous President Joe Biden’s pistol brace ban, and yet Pam Bondi’s DOJ still seems content on enforcing it, according to Gun Owners of America spokesman Stephen Willeford.
As the group continues to push back against the department with an ongoing lawsuit, it was noted that the ATF “continue(s) to enforce the NFA’s and the GCA’s regulation of short-barreled rifles against some brace-equipped pistols,” though, as they note, “The Rule has been universally vacated.”
So why would the lawyers behind the DOJ defy a federal court order and push back against Trump’s own campaign promises to end the rule?
What’s worse, the ATF has refused flat out to issue classification letters that indicate which pistol braces are legal and which aren’t – creating havoc for private gun owners. The only exception involves any sort of criminal case. And that makes the situation even worse.
Stephen Willeford joins us now to discuss the situation further, in an effort to break down what’s going on.
Q&A:
- Why would the Department of Justice act against the wishes of President Donald Trump when it comes to ending this gun brace rule?
- How would the ATF benefit from keeping this rule intact? And, for that matter, why wouldn’t they send out classification letters to notify gun owners which braces are legal or not?
- By not sending out these letters, could this spell some form of legal trouble for these gun owners?
- What is Gun Owners of America doing with its lawsuit at the moment? What are you hoping the outcome will be?
- For that matter, where do you see the discussion surrounding gun rights going as 2026 continues?
- You recently wrote a book called A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy, revolving around your 2017 “hero with a gun” situation. Tell us more about how this came together, and why it’s such an important read right now.
- Where can people find your book?
- Where can we learn more about you, as well as Gun Owners of America?
- You can learn more at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com. You can also read more about the Gun Owners of America at https://www.gunowners.org/.
About Stephen Willeford…
Stephen represents Gun Owners of America and is known around the country as the “good guy with the gun” for helping stop the largest Texas mass shooting in the history of the state in 2017. He is available to speak about all gun rights issues, as well as the importance of Gun Owners of America. He is the author of the book A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy. You can read more about him at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com.
CONTACT: Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983 or by email Jerry McGlothlin at bookings@specialguests.com.
