2A Newsletter: Week of July 7th

Vanderstok case won! Summary judgment in our favor!

Photo Source: Fizkes via Shutterstock

The fight for the right to bear arms, and more specifically the right to build guns in the comfort of your home, just got a significant boost. A victory has been won in the federal district court in the Vanderstok v. Garland case, granting a motion for summary judgment in our favor. Our right to manufacture the lowers and jigs and your right to purchase them has been fully reinstated!

In a move that has been awaited with bated breath, the federal district court in North Texas has vacated the  ATF Final Rule 2021R-05F. This case represents a milestone for those who champion the cause of gun rights. Like us, companies including P80 and JSD Supply were granted permission to intervene, joining the case as additional plaintiffs. 

When the court "vacates" a rule, it's like hitting a reset button, taking us back to how things were before the disputed rule came into play. It means the court sees the rule as unlawful and removes it, but it doesn't specifically dictate the next steps the agency has to take. So, the decision is kind of a "back to square one" scenario, restoring the situation to how it was previously. 

While this win is a massive step in the right direction, the struggle isn't over yet. An appeal has already been initiated in the Fifth Circuit Court, making it clear that the road ahead is still long and winding. For the time being, as long as you are in a city and state that allows you to purchase and own an  80 percent lower you build to your heart's content. For those in states and cities that are still restricting your rights support the 80 Percent Arms Legal Defense Fund. We are on a mission to topple these laws utilizing legal action and forging alliances with 2A organizations in court. 

To see the full details and timeline of the case, check out the  Firearms Policy Coalition's case tracker. It's important to understand that while this victory brings immense joy, the fight for our rights continues. If you have any questions about this decision or just want to know more take a look at our ATF Ruling FAQ page, which may answer more of our customers' questions.

Why UN Ammunition Regulations matter to Americans

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The United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on Conventional Ammunition ( OEWG) recently finalized a new global framework intended to regulate conventional ammunition management. While this may seem far removed from our day-to-day lives, it has potential implications that could directly impact Americans, especially those in the ammunition manufacturing industry.

As one of the world's largest ammunition buyers, the UN's potential restrictions on ammunition stockpiling could lead to reduced production needs from US manufacturers. This, in turn, could influence the domestic supply of components and potentially elevate prices for civilians. In other words, decisions made within the UN's chambers could resonate within the homes of US gun owners, influencing how easily and affordably they can purchase ammunition.

The NRA was in attendance with members from SAAMI (which creates the standards for firearms, ammunition, and components in America). These groups were two of the very few pro 2A organizations in attendance and thankfully, they were able to accumulate a few wins. The biggest things they tackled were the incredibly vague definitions that would have undoubtedly been abused in the coming years.

End-User — The OEWG refused to provide a concrete definition for the term. The NRA aided in the removal of attempts to require “individual” end-user certificates.

Stockpile — At the start, there was no definition and a person owning a 25 round box of 22LR would have fallen into the definition of owning a “stockpile”. This term was now limited to those “stockpiles” of ammunition held at the national level.

Marking (serialization) — The UN wanted to require every single round manufactured globally to be serialized... Thankfully the verbiage of serialization was watered down to something that should be “considered” for ammunition under national ownership.

Remember, the UN framework is a living document. Once adopted by the General Assembly, it can be altered over time, allowing for further restrictive regulations on firearms and ammunition. In a time when Second Amendment rights are under constant scrutiny, international regulations that could indirectly impact those rights are noteworthy and warrant close attention. Otherwise, we may find ourselves looking at empty ammo shelves in our favorite stores again.

Canada’s Gun Confiscation begins its First Phase

Photo Source: Karen Roach via Shutterstock

Canada's has begun to roll out  "Phase 1" of its Gun Confiscation Program signals a precarious time for our neighbors to the north. Originally set to roll out in the quaint province of Prince Edward Island, the initiative is structured to prohibit or seize a significant number of firearms and associated components.

In April 2023, the Canadian Federal Public Safety Minister announced the kickoff of this government-led program, an adjunct to the 2020 prohibition of "assault weapons." This first phase involves collaborating with the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association (CSAAA), the body that speaks for Canada’s hunting and sport shooting community. This collaboration involves working with Public Safety Canada, as well as firearm businesses and retailers, to regulate a broad range of firearms and their components.

Bill C-21's core strategy initially targeted the ownership, sale, and transfer of handguns, with a deadline set for April 30th, 2022. This deadline, however, was pushed back to October 30th, 2023. In a surprising turn, the government's press release announced amendments that not only regulate handguns but also broadened the definition of a "prohibited firearm" to encompass semi-automatic, center-fire firearms that were designed with a detachable magazine with a capacity of six cartridges or more.

The challenge is that these stringent measures will definitely have a direct effect in unfairly penalizing law-abiding citizens and responsible businesses. We've been talking about Canada's C-21 for almost 2 years now. While we no longer need to point to them as an example of what could happen in America, some people apparently still need convincing. 

In Other 2A News

• Biden defiles the 4th of July by ironically declaring a gun ban on Independence Day
• The Supreme Court is on a roll - they’re about to review the constitutionality of gun bans for people with a domestic violence restraining order
• Isaac Botkin explains the genius of GLOCK and shows a glimpse of its future
• Full Interview of Jim Caviezel on the Shawn Ryan Show - known for his role in The Passion of the Christ, Person of Interest, Deja Vu, and his latest film: Sound of Freedom
• Chuck Norris shares Founding Fathers’ thoughts on gun control

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