Recently, we brought you the BATFE ruling which declared that the use of the SB15 as a shoulder stock can subject a firearm to NFA regulations. [See BATFE Back Tracks on SB15: Use = Redesign]. In expected fashion, Sig Sauer has released an official statement regarding BATFE’s recent ruling, as reported by Nick Leghorn of thetruthaboutguns.com [see the article and statement here]. After SIG confirmed that use of the SB15 as a pistol brace, with one hand, remains perfectly legal, it acknowledged that the newest BATFE ruling raises some questions and concerns.

We question ATF’s reversal in position that the classification of the brace may be altered by its use. We are reviewing the legal precedents and justification for this position, and will address our concerns with ATF in the near future. . . . We will vigorously defend the classification of all of our products and our consumers’ right to use them in accordance with the law. If we find that the open letter opinion is outside the scope of the law, we will seek further review.

We have followed BATFE’s positions on the SB15 for quite some time now. Some of its initial rulings [discussed in our earlier posts, SB 15: Stabilizing Brace or Illegal Short Barrel? ] although somewhat surprising to many law abiding gun owners (LAGOs), were completely logically sound provided the wording used in the NFA. Moving forward, we began to address some seemingly conflicting rulings as to both the SB15 and products which purported to serve a similar purpose [see BATFE Says New Blade Stabilizer ≠ Sig’s Stabilizing Brace]. One could only expect the outcome we have witnessed provided the practical effects involved in the classification. BATFE’s recent pattern of rulings seemed to slowly but surely make efforts to reverse those effects. Either way, SIG seems to recognize potential flaws in BATFE’s interpretations. It will be interesting to keep track of the legal duel that has the potential to unfold.

For more on BATFE letters and rulings, check out More BATFE Letters in the News . . . What Do They Mean?