BATFE Reclassifies ‘Honey Badger’ AR Pistols as SBRs

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Gun Tests readers who own AR-style pistols need to keep a close watch on a recent regulatory change the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) made to Q LLC’s Honey Badger pistol.

Firearms manufacturer Q LLC, based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, announced on October 6, 2020 that the company was issued a Cease and Desist letter by BATFE reclassifying the Honey Badger AR-pistol as a short-barreled rifle covered by the National Firearms Act (NFA).

The ATF’s August 3, 2020 letter ordered Q to immediately cease production of the Honey Badger AR-pistol and perhaps other company products unless they are registered on an ATF Form 2, declaring that Q is manufacturing and selling NFA products. 

From the Q LLC release: 

Dear Customer:

On August 3rd, 2020, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) issued Q® a formal Cease & Desist letter, notifying us that ATF has taken the position that the Q Honey Badger Pistol is a short-barreled rifle (“SBR”) regulated under the National Firearms Act (“NFA”).  In response, Q has ceased all production of the Honey Badger Pistol, and submitted a comprehensive letter to ATF and the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) stating why we disagree with this classification. Additionally, we have provided recommendations on how to address the firearms already in circulation. Q is seeking solutions that best protect you, the individual, and Q’s distribution network from falling out of compliance with ATF regulations, and federal law. At this time, Q has not received any definitive guidance from the ATF.

In the meantime, Q encourages possessors of the Honey Badger Pistol to take these proactive measures until a resolution is reached between Q and ATF.

  • Complete one of the following:
    1. Remove the barreled upper receiver from the lower receiver and dedicate it as a replacement for another AR-style pistol or registered short-barreled rifle; or
    2. If you do not possess another AR-style pistol or registered short-barreled rifle, remove the barreled upper receiver from the lower receiver and temporarily transfer it out of your possession by, for example, transferring it to the dominion and control of another individual; and
  • Once the previous step is completed, you may file an ATF Form 1 to register the lower receiver as a short-barreled rifle. Upon Form 1 approval, the firearm may be reassembled.

Failure to complete option a or option b could result in prosecution and is subject to a $10,000.00 fine and up to 10 years imprisonment.

If you are concerned with this situation – as Q is – we urge you to contact the Department of Justice (ATF’s parent agency) by using the below OneClickPolitics link.

ONECLICK LINK

Even if you don’t own a Honey Badger, this determination by ATF puts many firearms owners in danger of federal prosecution. Since 2012, ATF has repeatedly found that firearms with pistol stabilizing braces, like the one equipped on Q’s Honey Badger pistol, are not “designed, made, and intended to be fired from the shoulder,” and are therefore not subject to regulation under the NFA. Now, with no notice or opportunity for public input, ATF appears to be reversing course, according to the NRA.

Since 2012, ATF has repeatedly found that firearms with pistol stabilizing braces, like the one equipped on Q’s Honey Badger pistol, are not “designed, made, and intended to be fired from the shoulder,” and are therefore not subject to regulation under the NFA. Photo courtesy of Q LLC

2 COMMENTS

  1. You are leaving things a little bit off. First of all ATF has suspended the cease and desist order and enforcement of this ruling, for now to make a determination. The White House has issued a statement that “The White House and leadership at the Department of Justice are reviewing this matter to ensure there is no interference with the ability of law-abiding citizens—including lawful firearms manufacturers—to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed liberties.” All of this information was available, and on the web with a simple search, as of October 10th and with this article dated October 13th I feel you do a dis-service to your readers by not providing the full story.

  2. Trump needs to get on AG Barr (and every other cabinet official) to purge his department. Every corner of the government bureaucracy (and the military) has been packed with leftist political hacks and establishment Republicans (who are little better) for the last thirty years. These people are making and implementing their own policy, regardless of administration policy, and largely running the government.

    If Trump doesn’t get rid of most of these people (and put the fear in the rest), they will continue to thwart his policy, and he will accomplish little in another four years. This should have been the first order of business in 2017. He has to get control of the mechanism of government to get done what he wants done.

    If Republicans regain control of Congress, there should be a repeal of the NFA, or at least a rewrite to exclude short barreled rifles and shotguns, and silencers from its provisions.

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