Attorney General Todd Rokita today sued the Biden administration to challenge a recent rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that infringes on Hoosiers’ gun rights.
Specifically, the new ATF rule treats pistols equipped with stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifles subject to federal regulation. This policy contradicts more than a decade of agency practice, during which the ATF repeatedly assured manufacturers and the public that attaching a stabilizing brace to a pistol would not alter its regulatory or statutory classification.
“As long as I’m attorney general, we will never willingly cede Hoosiers’ cherished liberties to the whims of federal bureaucrats,” Attorney General Rokita said. “This is a clear case of overreach by the executive branch, and we fully expect to prevail in this lawsuit.”
Individuals with disabilities often rely on stabilizing braces to use their pistols. Others who benefit from the devices are those with below-average physical strength and beginners learning to use firearms.
The new federal regulations require anyone using pistols with stabilizing braces to provide their fingerprints to the ATF, be registered in a federal database and pay applicable taxes, among other things.
In addition to Indiana, 24 other states and various private businesses and individuals have joined in this lawsuit against the Biden administration. Attorney General Rokita thanked West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey for his work organizing the multistate coalition.
“By standing together, the individual states can stop the federal government from riding roughshod over our people’s freedoms,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Standing up to tyranny is a time-honored American tradition. It requires us not only to resist broad sweeping power grabs but also to combat the incremental chipping away of rights.”
Smith looks to claim Parke County Commissioner seat
USDA opens enrollment for Grassland Conservation Reserve Program
Governor ceremonially signs bill co-authored by Baird to combat animal cruelty
New online portal brings transparency to Indiana gas prices during declared energy emergency
Electric vehicle fire training held at Rockville-Adams Township Training Center
Indiana FSSA announces results of HCBS attendant care audits - $200 Million in improper payments
Applications being accepted for Governor’s 2026 Century and Half Century Business Awards
Indiana BMV extending hours for primary election
$675 million impact reported from initial Regional Economic Development funding
PHMS Amazing Shake
Parke Heritage students in competition at FFA District Contest
Indiana's February unemployment rate below national average
Indiana hiring five county executive directors in training positions
Be on the lookout for farm equipment on the road
SW Parke projected to save over a million dollars closing Montezuma Elementary
Changes coming to South Vermillion School Corporation's cell phone policy
Crawfordsville man faces list of felony child sex charges
Domestic incident results in arrest in Parke County
