Are the FRT triggers machine guns?
Well, if you are to ask Rare Breed Triggers, that answer is a resounding, “No.” Unfortunately, the ATF disagrees.
This morning at 10:06am, the ATF sent out an open letter to all FFL Licensees stating that they have “recently examined devices commonly known as “forced reset triggers” (FRTs) and determined that some of them are “firearms” and “machine guns” as defined in the National Firearms Act (NFA), and “machine guns” as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA).”
Simply put, this means that every FRT is an unregistered machine gun (which is illegal…)
Legal FRT Trigger Jargon:
The NFA and the GCA define a machine gun under 26 U.S.C § 5845(b) and 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(23) as—Any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.
(Emphasis added.)
You Can view the ATF Open Letter
What should I do if I own an frt trigger?
Right now, the ATF recommends that those who currently own these triggers should contact the ATF for guidance on how to give them up or dispose of them.
Based on ATF’s determination that the FRTs that function as described above are “machine guns” under the NFA and GCA, ATF intends to take appropriate remedial action with respect to sellers and possessors of these devices. Current possessors of these devices are encouraged to contact ATF for further guidance on how they may divest possession.
If you are uncertain whether the device you possess is a machine gun as defined by the GCA and NFA, please contact your local ATF Field Office. You may consult the local ATF Office’s webpage for office contact information.
This letter obviously comes as a huge blow to Rare Breed Triggers and the ongoing battle for the preservation of our right to bear arms.
What are your thoughts?
Is the Rare Breed FRT a machine gun? Let us know that you think!
What does this mean for Black Flag Armory? Are you guys taking a stand against this tyranny? Or are you following suit with every other “2A supporting” gun shop? If they haven’t specified which forced-reset triggers, will you continue to sell the ones not directly mentioned? Do you agree that these are “machine guns” using common knowledge and not ATF BS terminology? What does Black Flag plan to do about this encroachment on our rights? Will a portion of all FRTs go to FPC and similar organizations?
We disagree that these FRTs are classified as machine guns. They are designed to move a 1/8th of an inch and reset the trigger for each pull, so they are only made to shoot one bullet for each trigger pull. We don’t believe these to be even remotely close to a machine gun, even though they may have the appearance of shooting bullets fast, they are still on a single trigger pull. Our distributors, unfortunately, don’t carry any FRTs so we have been unable to help sell them at our shop. We are supportive of Rare Breed on social media and are doing our best to help inform and educate people about what is going on. We currently support GOA, NSSF, and The American Suppressor Association which are some of the few organizations that are able to change the narrative and actually support gun owners just like the FPC.
I don’t remember voting for anyone within the ATF. Who are they to institute laws determining which firearms I can or cannot posses? Are they now our legislative representatives?
Obviously, we need to reconsider which, if any, 3 letter federal organizations we wish to fund.
It might be time to start over with some of these…
There is some overreach going on in some of those areas for sure…