ATF Open Letter to all FFL Holders - FRTs

[kje54]

Just received this email, thought they might do this.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently examined devices commonly known as “forced reset triggers” (FRTs) and has determined that some of them are “firearms” and “machineguns” as defined in the National Firearms Act (NFA), and “machineguns” as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA).

These particular FRTs are being marketed as replacement triggers for AR-type firearms. Unlike traditional triggers and binary triggers (sometimes referred to generally as “FRTs”), the subject FRTs do not require shooters to pull and then subsequently release the trigger to fire a second shot. Instead, these FRTs utilize the firing cycle to eliminate the need for the shooter to release the trigger before a second shot is fired. By contrast, some after-market triggers have similar components but also incorporate a disconnector or similar feature to ensure that the trigger must be released before a second shot may be fired and may not be machineguns.

Based on ATF’s determination that the FRTs that function as described above are “machineguns” under the NFA and GCA, ATF intends to take appropriate remedial action with respect to sellers and possessors of these devices. Current possessors of these devices are encouraged to contact ATF for further guidance on how they may divest possession. If you are uncertain whether the device you possess is a machinegun as defined by the GCA and NFA, please contact your local ATF Field Office. You may consult the local ATF Office’s webpage for office contact information.
(Copied from my email)

 

[redcon1]

and with nothing more than a few keystrokes on their computer, they turned countless Americans into potential felons.

 

[dogtown tom]

This is nothing new, the definition of machine gun has not changed in many decades with the exception of the addition of bump stock being added a few years ago. (thanks Trump)

478.11
Machinegun Any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person. For purposes of this definition, the term “automatically” as it modifies “shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot,” means functioning as the result of a self-acting or self-regulating mechanism that allows the firing of multiple rounds through a single function of the trigger; and “single function of the trigger” means a single pull of the trigger and analogous motions. The term “machine gun” includes a bump-stock-type device, i.e., a device that allows a semi-automatic firearm to shoot more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger by harnessing the recoil energy of the semi-automatic firearm to which it is affixed so that the trigger resets and continues firing without additional physical manipulation of the trigger by the shooter.

I think its just ATF restating the obvious.

 

[kje54]

I've had some people I know call this "letter" into question so I dug a little deeper. From what I can tell it appears legit, for now. Having just been distributed there's not a whole lot of comment on it just yet, I'll keep my eyes open.

 

[Swing]

I've had some people I know call this "letter" into question so I dug a little deeper. From what I can tell it appears legit, for now. Having just been distributed there's not a whole lot of comment on it just yet, I'll keep my eyes open.

One of the business enterprises I own is an 01FFL. We received a copy of this missive this morning. It is legit in the sense that the regulatory agency so referenced sent this out. What this will fully portent is, of course, is a matter of speculation.

P.S. I, nor the business establishment, ever touched the FRT triggers with a ten foot pole. Saw this coming a mile away.

 

[mcb]

Current gun laws are so poorly written that lots of grey areas exist and lots of people are going to play in those grey areas until they are made more black and white.

All they would have to do is re-open the NFA registration to new firearms, and bump stocks, binary triggers, forced reset triggers and the like would all go away nearly over night.

 

[kje54]

One of the business enterprises I own is an 01FFL. We received a copy of this missive this morning. It is legit in the sense that the regulatory agency so referenced sent this out. What this will fully portent is, of course, is a matter of speculation.

P.S. I, nor the business establishment, ever touched the FRT triggers with a ten foot pole. Saw this coming a mile away.

I have a C&R which is why I received the email. Fortunately or unfortunately, however you look at it, I'm not a multi-millionaire who can afford to send that much lead downrange at one time so I never even considered it. Heck, the triggers cost more than some sidearms I own...........

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Some "forced reset triggers" seem to function like two shot burst. Some people are too clever for everyone else's good.

 

[hso]

These particular FRTs are being marketed as replacement triggers for AR-type firearms. Unlike traditional triggers and binary triggers (sometimes referred to generally as “FRTs”), the subject FRTs do not require shooters to pull and then subsequently release the trigger to fire a second shot.

ATF appears to be pointing out that some manufacturers (it would have been good to identify the particular manufacturers) violated NFA. Not all, but some.

Here's a link to a useful explanation.
https://ssusa.co/binary-trigger-vs-forced-reset-trigger/

Another with some background.
https://www.ammoland.com/2022/01/atf-raids-force-reset-triggers-additional-info-updates-corrections/

 

[jmorris]

All they would have to do is re-open the NFA registration to new firearms, and bump stocks, binary triggers, forced reset triggers and the like would all go away nearly over night.

Under current “leadership”, it would be more likely that they just ban semiautos all together as they would also go away nearly overnight…

We can keep wishing but I’m not going to hold my breath.

 

[Speedo66]

If this trigger converts the gun to fire more than one round with one pull of the trigger, based on long standing BATF rules, sure sounds like it makes it a machine gun to me.

 

[rbernie]

and with nothing more than a few keystrokes on their computer, they turned countless Americans into potential felons.

I disagree - they simply restated what they've previously asserted - 'motion' equals 'function', which is why binary triggers are OK and some FRT are OK, but some FRT are not:

For purposes of this definition, the term “automatically” as it modifies “shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot,” means functioning as the result of a self-acting or self-regulating mechanism that allows the firing of multiple rounds through a single function of the trigger; and “single function of the trigger” means a single pull of the trigger and analogous motions

 

[Cayle]

My question is how is this affecting the shotgun world? Lots of pro skeet and sporting clay shooters use FRTs in their shotguns.

 

[herrwalther]

My question is how is this affecting the shotgun world? Lots of pro skeet and sporting clay shooters use FRTs in their shotguns.

I was just able to find the letter online to see if they named some FRTs by brand or model specifically. They don't. Typical vague lingo from the ATF. All the letter says is AR type firearms that use FRTs. To be on the legal safe side, I would avoid any firearm with FRT. Even competition shotguns.

https://nssfpdf.s3.amazonaws.com/ForcedResetTriggers.pdf

 

[F-111 John]

My question is how is this affecting the shotgun world? Lots of pro skeet and sporting clay shooters use FRTs in their shotguns.

Can you give an example of a forced reset trigger used on a competition shotgun? I've only seen reference to a "release trigger," which does nothing when you pull the trigger, but fires when you release the trigger. Those seem to be popular in the competition shotgun world, and would be more akin to a binary trigger than a forced reset trigger.

 

[Cayle]

Both forced reset and release triggers are popular. Forced reset triggers are the "new" thing in the shotgun world. I've seen several and I clean a guy's auto that has one.

 

[JohnKSa]

Forced reset triggers are the "new" thing in the shotgun world.

A forced reset trigger in the context of this thread basically forces the trigger to reset so that continued pressure on the trigger will fire rounds as fast as the action will cycle until the gun is empty. Is that how the forced reset triggers you're talking about work?