ATF has re-interpreted how to measure (AR) pistol OAL in reference to AOW.

[FoxtArt]

By this standard, any handgun that is sold today is in violation of that rule because since the advent of Jeff Cooper and The Modern Technique, no one outside of bullseye shooters uses a one-handed grip when shooting a pistol, and the companies that make these guns know that.

While that argument can be made, the definition doesn't include or prohibit the use of two hands, it refers to designs that require two hands. The fact that almost everyone uses a two handed grip on a pistol doesn't mean they are designed for it. That argument becomes void when one attaches a vertical foregrip. PS to earlier poster: I'm the furthest thing from a "FUDD". Ignorance exists on all sides of an issue, don't be blind to your own. I especially disagree with the 86' NFA. That said, when the original was passed in '34, why was it passed? Sensationalized stories involving Thompson submachine guns and "gangsters" played a significant role. Imagine anyone in '38 arguing a Thompson with a stock removed suddenly was a pistol. When shooters far are wide made "creative interpretations" so...common, publicized, etc., It is a matter of time before it blows up in our own face. Inevitably, we bad actor will eventually make use of these false loopholes.... What is the ramifications then? Can you do a 180 and say "they've always been illegal new laws won't help". Shooters have to manage their own public relations. Unfortunately, because the broad association is so varied, the excesses of the few will result in the loss for the many.

People bitch about agency review clarifying things to be illegal that are obviously within the intent of their respective laws. Do you REALLY want bureuocracy to become even more dense, ala hitchhikers if the Galaxy? Do you really want EVERY possible minute detail spelled out in law? Thats what that position unknowingly advocates for. Do you want a 2020 NFA act? There's a difference between being a FUDD, and being a pragmatist that isn't hedonistic.

[Skip]

[snip]

Inevitably, we bad actor will eventually make use of these false loopholes.... What is the ramifications then? Can you do a 180 and say "they've always been illegal new laws won't help". Shooters have to manage their own public relations. Unfortunately, because the broad association is so varied, the excesses of the few will result in the loss for the many.

[snip]

I've always taken the view that if a mass murderer used an illegal firearm vs. any other means, only the brainwashed/mentally ill would focus on the weapon. In that case, there is very little PR that can be done.

Someone can use a firearm to murder a dozen kids and it's wall-to-wall coverage. FOR MONTHS. With annual anniversary celebrations and occasional reenactors. Does the media ever report the amount of gun control and list the rules/law broken? No, we just get "we need more gun control." Yeah, we aren't competing with that PR.

I also doubt that these rules decrease criminality, number of casualties, or are effective in any way. Does a VFG, on any configuration/classification, make a firearm more deadly? Does it make it more/less likely to be used in a crime? The gangsters NFA was supposed to stop simply didn't care. Modern bangers don't care. Mass murdering monsters don't care. Only people with something to lose, who would never do these things (us), care.

These technical rules are shit and that is why a lot of people don't obey them. The further the rules/laws deviate from shared values, the less compliance the kings will get. They can either demand compliance for authority's sake or change the rules. The rule by fiat method of these letter is even worse at decreasing legitimacy because it criminalizes configurations that were previously permitted by the same letters. Am I supposed to subscribe to every opinion letter and review each firearm I own to ensure compliance? How do I do that?

NFA was created from moral panic to solve the consequences from another moral panic (prohibition). Funny how society recognized one was bad policy and the other wasn't.