Press Releases

Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) released the following statement after signing onto an amicus brief led by Senator Blackburn in support of a lawsuit challenging the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) recent reclassification of pistols with stabilizing braces attached being designated as “short-barreled rifles.”

“As determined by our founding fathers in the Constitution, Americans have the fundamental right to bear arms. The recent ATF reclassification of pistols with stabilizing braces being designated as “short-barreled rifles, which was done without Congressional authority, is a blatant violation of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the long-standing principle of separation of powers.  Further, it disproportionally impacts several groups, including women and those with physical disabilities, many of whom have honorably served our nation in the armed forces,” said Congressman Moran. “The ATF does not have the jurisdiction to issue rules that would regulate pistol braces. As a proud advocate for second amendment rights, I will fight for the right of every law-abiding American citizen to freely carry arms.”

Further information:

On January 31, 2023, the ATF issued a rule reclassifying pistols equipped with stabilizing braces as “short-barreled rifles”, and thus subject to regulations under the National Firearm Act. With this rule, 99% of brace-equipped pistols would be subject to burdensome regulation requirements, resulting in lawful gun owners being required to register their pistols, pay hefty filing fees and taxes, or otherwise destroy their firearm under threat of federal criminal charges.

For over a decade, millions of lawful gun owners have used these common braces with the ATF assuring them that attaching a stabilizing brace would not alter the classification of their firearm. The Supreme Court has affirmed that only Congress carries the authority to define what conduct does or does not carry criminal penalties. While an agency may at times issue interpretations of unclear laws that Congress has passed, Congress clearly defined what constitutes a short-barreled rifle –  that definition does not include a stabilizing brace attached to a pistol.

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About Congressman Moran:

Congressman Nathaniel Moran moved to rural East Texas just a few months before he turned two years old. Congressman Moran attended the United States Military Academy at West Point for two years before transferring to Texas Tech University, where he ultimately earned his B.A., MBA, and law degree. Upon graduation from law school, Nathaniel and his wife Kyna moved to Tyler, where Nathaniel began practicing law and Kyna began teaching elementary school. He would go on to become a small business owner in Tyler – running both a law firm and a staffing company.

Congressman Moran began his career in public service as a member of the Tyler City Council from 2005-2009. In 2016, Nathaniel was appointed as the Smith County Judge. During his time as Judge, he served as presiding officer of the Commissioners Court, Chief Budget Officer, judge of the Constitutional County Court, Chair of the Juvenile Board, Head of Emergency Management, and Chief Administrative Officer of the County. In 2018, he was elected to a full four-year term as County Judge. He continued in this role until his election to U.S. Congress in 2022.

Congressman Moran and his wife, Kyna, are the proud parents of four school-aged children.

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