What is the SHORT Act? A Closer Look at the Push to Roll Back Biden-Era Gun Regulations

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The Stop Harrassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act is back in the spotlight as a major legislative effort to roll back controversial Biden-era gun control measures, specifically those targeting firearms with stabilizing braces. Lawmakers, Second Amendment advocates, and firearms organizations across the country strongly back the SHORT Act, calling it a crucial move to restore firearm freedoms the ATF recently stripped away.

But what exactly is the SHORT Act, and how could it impact you as a gun owner? Let’s break it down.

What is the SHORT Act?

If passed, the SHORT Act would:

• Protect Second Amendment rights by eliminating unnecessary and arbitrary restrictions on common firearms. 

• Reduce federal overreach by preventing the ATF from reclassifying firearms without Congressional approval.

• Ease the burden on lawful gun owners, many of whom are veterans and disabled shooters who use stabilizing braces for support and safety.

Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) reintroduced the bill in 2025 and condemned the ATF’s rule as “a gun grab disguised as public safety.” He warned that bureaucrats must not infringe on Constitutional rights without due process or legislation.

The Bipartisan Pushback Against ATF Overreach

The SHORT Act has gained support from a wide array of Second Amendment advocacy groups, including:

• Buckeye Firearms Association
• Gun Owners of America (GOA)
• National Association for Gun Rights

In a recent letter, over 20 gun rights groups urged Congress to restore the SHORT Act in 2025. They warned the ATF’s actions create confusion, criminal liability, and force compliance through coercion.

Why Some Oppose the SHORT Act

Many view the SHORT Act as a win for Second Amendment rights, but opponents warn it weakens public safety and strips oversight from weapons they believe need tighter regulation. Critics of the SHORT Act, including gun control advocates and some law enforcement groups, raise the following concerns:

• Short-barreled rifles are more concealable and deadly, and rolling back regulations could increase their use in criminal activity. Historically, SBRs were included in the National Firearms Act precisely because of their potential for misuse.
• Critics argue that stabilizing braces let individuals sidestep existing laws, giving them access to compact rifles without undergoing the vetting and accountability the NFA requires.
• The ATF’s rule wasn’t an overreach, they argue, but a necessary clarification of an evolving and exploited loophole. As stabilizing braces became more common, their use often went beyond helping disabled shooters and into tactical advantages typically reserved for regulated firearms.
• Opponents also emphasize that removing SBRs from the NFA could weaken other gun laws and erode widely supported safety measures.

While the SHORT Act’s supporters argue it defends lawful gun owners, critics warn it may unintentionally open the door to greater risks in urban areas, complicate law enforcement efforts, and escalate the arms race among criminals.

What’s Next for the SHORT Act?

As of now, the SHORT Act is awaiting further action in committee, but momentum is building, especially as public awareness and political pressure grow.

While its passage isn’t guaranteed, gun owners and firearm advocates are encouraged to:

• Contact their representatives and senators
• Support pro-2A organizations advocating for the bill
• Stay informed about the status of gun legislation and ATF rulemaking

Final Thoughts

The reintroduction of the SHORT Act goes beyond politics. It stands as a symbol of resistance against growing federal overreach. Gun rights advocates see it as a rallying cry. This bill offers a real chance to push back. It aims to restore clarity, fairness, and freedom. Law-abiding gun owners deserve protection, not punishment for technicalities. As the political climate shifts, the SHORT Act sends a clear message: our rights are not up for negotiation.

Written by: Maley

Maley is a U.S. Navy veteran turned marketing enthusiast with a passport full of stamps and a head full of ideas. With a degree in marketing and a well-worn suitcase, she spent 5.5 years living in England and has explored 14 countries (so far). When she is not crafting creative campaigns, you will find her wrangling her two spirited kids, adventuring with her wired-hair pointing griffin doodle, or being always ready to taste-test the best bites in town. Her hobbies include baking bread from scratch, ruining movie endings (quietly, in her head... sometimes), and making to-do lists she may or may not follow.