ATF Pistol Brace Ruling for Shockwave and TAC-14 Owners
Not giving any legal advice and you should certainly verify this information before you make any decisions, but here are the major take-aways from the ATF Ruling on pistol braces that went into effect yesterday, as they might affect us Shockwave owners:
1. To sum it up, “pistol braces” are now treated just like shoulder stocks for all weapons.
2. Short-barreled firearms like the 14” Shockwave are not affected by this ruling, as they were never covered under the original pistol brace ruling to begin with (that ruling applied to “pistols” only).
3. Essentially means that it has never been legal to install a pistol brace on a short-barreled “firearm” like the 14” Shockwave or TAC-14.
4. Anyone with a pistol brace on an unregistered 14” Shockwave, TAC-14, etc. is technically in possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun and is (technically) committing a felony.
5. Since the original ruling never applied to weapons like the 14” Shockwave, “firearms” with Birds Head Grip aren’t affected by this latest ruling either; however the ATF are requiring the manufacturers of these “firearms” to resubmit their requests for reclassification.
6. There is “tax forbearance” period from now until 31 May where you can register a pistol-braced pistol and they will waiver the $200 tax stamp, however this DOES NOT apply to pistol-braced short-barreled firearms like the 14” Shockwave and TAC-14….you will need to follow the normal process and bear the normal costs.
Hope this helps, leave any questions for us below and we'll answer them as best we can.
HFS
I don’t get the logic about braces. They make the gun safer to use. I have a shockwave and aiming it without a laser is dangerous imo. The accuracy is difficult so the chance of hitting your intended target is diminished putting you at greater risk as well as shooting through a wall with who knows what or who is on the other side. Nothing seems more ridiculous than forcing innocent people to be less effective and safe with a home defense weapon.
Can anybody explain why a firearm is legal but if you make it safer, it’s not.
Jim Collins
I bought my TAC-14 with a factory installed stock from a local federally licensed firearms dealer in Delaware in April of 2021. Even though long ago I was in the Infantry of the USMC I haven’t owned a firearm since then. I see all these warnings and though I am specifically NOT looking for a legal advise, I’m asking if any of you folks are ex-military and will give an old disabled vet the straight dope over whether you think (not know, just an opinion) whether I’m committing a federal felony in having this thing to protect my Wife and I? I barely have enough to pay the utilities and food bills on SSI and food stamps and want to protect the little we have. I’ve been to the range and love this little thing. It’s smooth as silk on the slide with very little recoil and at 25yds it’s very accurate because it’s so smooth with so little recoil. The longest shot I need to make in my house is 40ft, I reckon if I can’t stop somebody at 40ft with five 12ga rounds then I’m no longer useful and it’s time to get out of the young folks way. LOL. Anyway I’d just like to wish to wish a Merry Christmas and all the best luck to all of you and all those you love.
John
I just purchased a 590S shockwave 14 . I’m reading conflicting reports about an arm race or shoulder stock. Are they allowed or not? Is there a product that you can purchase that “loopholes” this decision?
Norm Nassrallah
Can an AR style grip & stock be installed on an 18in shockwave and sill be legal .
NickS
Also curious about the tac14 arm brace and where it falls in all of this.