Bump-Stock-Type Devices

• Published date: 14 March 2019
• Citation: 84 FR 9239
• Record Number: 2019-04799
• Section: Rules and Regulations
• Court: Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, And Explosives Bureau

Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 50 (Thursday, March 14, 2019)

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 50 (Thursday, March 14, 2019)]
                [Rules and Regulations]
                [Pages 9239-9240]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2019-04799]
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                DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
                Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
                27 CFR Parts 447, 478, and 479
                [Docket No. 2018R-22F; AG Order No. 4406-2019]
                RIN 1140-AA52
                Bump-Stock-Type Devices
                AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives;
                Department of Justice.
                ACTION: Final rule; ratification.
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                SUMMARY: The Attorney General is ratifying a final rule, published in
                the Federal Register on December 26, 2018, that amended the definition
                of ``machinegun'' (or ``machine gun'') in Department of Justice
                regulations. The ratification is issued as a prudential matter in light
                of pending litigation.
                DATES: March 14, 2019.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vivian Chu, Office of Regulatory
                Affairs, Enforcement Programs and Services, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
                Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Department of Justice, 99 New York Ave.
                NE, Washington, DC 20226; telephone: (202) 648-7070.
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 26, 2018, the Department of
                Justice published a final rule in the
                [[Page 9240]]
                Federal Register that amended the definition of ``machinegun'' (or
                ``machine gun'') contained in 27 CFR 447.11, 478.11, and 479.11. See 83
                FR 66514. That final rule, which was adopted after the publication of a
                notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register and a period of
                public comment, was signed by Acting Attorney General Matthew G.
                Whitaker on December 18, 2018.
                 That final rule has become the subject of litigation in which
                parties have argued that Mr. Whitaker was not validly serving as the
                Acting Attorney General, as either a statutory or constitutional
                matter.
                 On February 14, 2019, I was sworn in as Attorney General following
                confirmation by the Senate and appointment by the President. Although I
                believe that the challenges to Mr. Whitaker's designation lack merit, I
                elected, out of an abundance of caution, to independently reevaluate
                the above-mentioned rule and the underlying rulemaking record.
                 Having now familiarized myself with the rulemaking record that was
                before the Acting Attorney General and having reevaluated those
                materials without any deference to his earlier decision, I have
                personally come to the conclusion that it is appropriate to ratify and
                affirm the final rule as it was published at 83 FR 66514, and I hereby
                do so.
                 Dated: March 11, 2019.
                William P. Barr,
                Attorney General.
                [FR Doc. 2019-04799 Filed 3-12-19; 11:15 am]
                BILLING CODE 4410-FY-P