Lawsuit Over Arm Braces Could Have Huge Impact

When the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) filed a federal lawsuit against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) a couple of weeks ago, the biggest mistake they made was doing it on the same day the National Rifle Association (NRA) announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The NRA told its members the plan essentially was to reorganize in Texas after “dumping” New York — its home of incorporation since 1871.

The SAF lawsuit also named the Justice Department as a defendant. The complaint alleges violations of the Administrative Procedures Act relating to ATF’s “flip-flop” regulation of arm braces used with AR-15 pistols. This accessory was developed originally to aid persons with disabilities — especially disabled soldiers — with their recreational shooting.

But a strange thing happened. Other shooters were impressed with arm braces for their AR-style pistols and started buying them. Today, according to the lawsuit, roughly 2 million of these things are owned by private citizens to shoot semi-auto AR pistols.

While the NRA drama is unfolding, SAF used this lawsuit to also send a message to the new Joe Biden White House. SAF’s Alan Gottlieb even said so in a statement to the press.

“We think it is also important to file this case now,” he said, “because the incoming Biden administration has made no secret it intends to take various regulatory actions and issue executive orders directly affecting gun owners. We’re putting the new administration on notice we will be watching their every move where the Second Amendment rights of American citizens are concerned.”

SAF is joined in the lawsuit by Rainier Arms and two disabled private citizens, Samuel Walley and William Green, whose circumstances illustrate the dilemma disabled shooters share.

According to the court document, Walley “is a distinguished disabled Army veteran who suffered a traumatic injury while serving in Afghanistan in 2012. He was wounded by an improvised explosive device resulting in partial amputation of his right leg and left arm, and a salvaged left leg limb. He uses arm braces to stabilize firearms he shoots recreationally.”

Meanwhile, Green is a police officer “who suffered a line-of-duty injury resulting in permanent nerve damage to his right hand. He also uses arm braces to stabilize firearms while he is shooting.”

Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Chad Flores, Hannah Roblyer and Daniel Nightingale at Beck Redden LLP in Houston, and Matthew Goldstein at Farhang & Medcoff in Tucson.

Sources:
https://www.saf.org/saf-sues-batfe-over-arm-brace-apa-violations/

https://www.saf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Complaint.pdf

New FN 509 Compact

Pretty sure American Handgunner readers will soon be reading a lot about the FN 509 Compact, a 9mm carry piece from FN America announced during what would have been SHOT Show week, which didn’t happen this year.

This striker-fired pistol is part of FN’s 509 family of modern semi-auto pistols, and it caught my eye because images show this little number is finished in what some people call Desert Tan and others call Flat Dark Earth. What really matters is that it goes ‘BANG!’ when someone presses the trigger.

With an overall length of 6.8”, the 509 Compact has a 3.7” barrel cut with 1:10-inch rifling on a right-hand twist and finished with a recessed target crown. Weighing 25.5 ounces empty, this pistol comes with either a 10-round magazine or full-capacity 12- and 15-rounders. It’s got low-profile sights dovetailed front and rear. There are also cocking serrations front and rear, and the ejection port is lowered for guaranteed ejection. It has an exposed extractor and loaded chamber indicator, and the polymer frame features texturing on all sides for a firm hold even in the sloppiest of conditions.

The pistol features interchangeable backstraps so the grip can be tailored to a person’s hand size. On the front of the frame, one finds a molded accessory rail, which is pretty common with defensive sidearms these days. FN designers also built this one with ambidextrous controls, a polished chamber and feed ramp.

https://fnamerica.com/products/fn-509-series/fn-509-compact-fde/

New from Spyderco

Because there was no SHOT Show, we didn’t get to check out all the new knives for sportsmen and legally-armed citizens, but Insider recently received a new products guide from our pals at Spyderco and we found something.

Enter the Lil’ Native, an updated addition to the SLIPIT knife series, featuring Spyderco’s “notch joint” mechanism, which replaces the Compression Lock and back lock found on the original model. The full-flat ground S30V stainless steel blade features the Trademark Round Hole and measures about 2-3/4”.

This compact folder has black textured G-10 grips that accommodate a four-position pocket clip so it may be carried right or left hand, bottom up or down.

A handy little tool to have around, my guess is the Lil’ Native is going to be well-received.

https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/C230NLG/Lil-Native-G-10-SLIPIT/2088

A Revolving Door

There’s a murder case unfolding in Pennsylvania that readers may want to follow, not because of the charge, but because of the related circumstances.

Murder suspect Davis L. Josephus may become the poster child for judicial reform, and maybe holding judges responsible for the mayhem committed by people with whom they play catch-and-release. According to Fox News and the Associated Press, Josephus had been freed from jail after his bail was reduced from $200,000 to $12,000, despite the fact he was facing two felony charges.

The alleged reason for court leniency? Fox News said it was at least partly due to “coronavirus pandemic-related court closures.”

So, two weeks after he hit the bricks, Josephus was back behind bars, this time charged in connection with the murder of Milan Loncar in Brewertown Jan. 13. Police looked at surveillance video that caught the crime on camera and made an arrest. There is another suspect in this killing.

Philadelphia Police Captain Matthew Gillespie reportedly said in a tweet, “This is disgusting and inexcusable! It is nauseating to hear of constant bail reductions on violent individuals! Milan and this city deserves better.”

The victim was a 2019 Temple University graduate. He was 25 years old, and when police arrived at the crime scene, they found Loncar holding the leash of his rescue dog.

Sources:
https://www.foxnews.com/us/philadelphia-temple-u-grad-shot-walking-dog-suspect-freed-bail-two-weeks-before

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania/articles/2021-01-17/police-suspects-arrested-in-murder-of-man-walking-dog