2A Newsletter: Week of September 29th
We're the last court protected 80% frame & jig maker in the country due to ongoing developments in our lawsuit against the ATF
On September 25, 2023, the Court asked the government for clear information about how they plan to enforce the Frame & Receiver Rule. The court was quite pointed in this request, asking for a YES or NO answer to the following questions, with as much clarification as they desire:
1. Does the United States Government intend to enforce ATF’s Final Rule pending appeal with respect to the parties in this case?
2. Does the United States Government intend to enforce ATF’s Final Rule pending appeal with respect to the parties’ customers?
This is … unusual to say the least. It’s clear the court is fed up with the ATF’s vague and ambiguous responses.
This rule changes what is considered a "firearm" to include 80% kits and updates some technical definitions. The ultimate goal is to make firearm manufacturing impossible for law-abiding customers by strangling the businesses that provide and support these products.
In the government's initial response to the Court's directive, the government explicitly affirmed, "The answer to both of the Court’s questions is 'Yes'," indicating its intent to enforce the rule against both the involved parties and their customers. This direct confirmation underscores the government’s desire to uphold the regulations and requirements of the rule, affecting us directly and the other companies named in the case along with any individuals associated with them.
However, on September 27th, during Oral Arguments, when the judge questioned the enforcement of the rule against BlackHawk (80 Percent Arms), the government promptly confirmed that without an injunction they would take enforcement action against us immediately. This quick affirmation raises serious concerns about our ongoing ability to produce parts for customers, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Despite earlier assertions, the federal government has shifted its stance, revealing to a judge that it has no intention of targeting customers of the companies implicated in the lawsuit who are otherwise compliant with the law. Nonetheless, they have maintained their commitment to prosecuting businesses like ours themselves.
This underscores the urgency and gravity of the current litigation for companies involved in the lawsuit and their customers. The immediate enforcement of the rule against us would inhibit our ability to manufacture parts for customers, thereby affecting the broader 80% community. Please consider purchasing from us or donating to our legal fund to help support us in this fight.
As of now, we are the last 80% frame and jig manufacturer in the country protected by the courts to continue selling.