Congress Claps Back! Slaps New Shackles on ATF

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

The ATF just got put on notice.

Tucked inside the FY2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill is a series of blunt-force policy riders that could bring the agency’s regulatory rampage to a screeching halt.

After years of unilateral rulemaking—from redefining pistol braces to backdoor registry accusations—Congress is finally stepping in with a red pen and a set of handcuffs.

Here’s what’s on the chopping block:

• Pistol Braces: The bill defunds enforcement of the ATF’s controversial pistol brace rule, which reclassified millions of previously lawful firearms as NFA items. Under this new provision, no federal funds may be used to implement or enforce the rule published January 31, 2023.
• Suppressor Regulation: Lawmakers are drawing a line in the sand—no funding can be used to treat suppressors as Title II firearms under the NFA. That’s a huge win for anyone who wants to own a can without the yearlong wait and $200 tax stamp.
• Zero Tolerance Policy: The bill guts the Biden-era “zero tolerance” crackdown on FFLs. Specifically, it prohibits the ATF from revoking licenses for minor clerical errors—effectively ending what gun rights groups have called a “deliberate campaign to put mom-and-pop dealers out of business.”
• Registry Ban Reinforced: Congress slams the door on any effort to create a national gun registry. The bill bars the use of funds to require FFLs to keep 4473s or acquisition records beyond 20 years and ensures they must be destroyed after that period—a direct challenge to the ATF’s digitized Out-of-Business records database.
• No Chips, No Tracing: The bill also blocks any move to require microstamping on ammunition or firearms, and prohibits the DOJ and ATF from pushing “Smart Gun” mandates on retailers or consumers.
• More Congressional Oversight: In a not-so-subtle jab, the bill requires detailed reporting on how the ATF spends its budget. This includes directives for transparency on firearms tracing, compliance inspections, and how they’re enforcing rules around “ghost guns.”

The Message is Clear: Back Off.

This bill doesn’t just slash at the roots of the ATF’s recent rulemaking spree—it openly rebukes the agency’s direction under the Biden administration.

In effect, it resets the table, reinforcing that only Congress—not unelected bureaucrats—has the authority to rewrite America’s gun laws.

Of course, this is just the appropriations stage. The final showdown will come when the bill faces floor votes and reconciliation with the Senate version.

But for now, it’s a big win for 2A advocates and a not-so-subtle warning to the ATF: Your leash just got a lot shorter.

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Larry Z

is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.

Experience:

– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.