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Changes to Firearm Definitions: Rifles and Pistols Clarified

This act modifies the definitions of rifles and pistols in federal law, potentially affecting how certain firearms are classified. The new rules aim to clarify that pistols with rear braces are not automatically considered rifles, which could be significant for owners of such weapons.
Key points
New rifle definition: a weapon designed to be fired from the shoulder, firing a single projectile per trigger pull.
Pistols with rear braces will not be automatically classified as rifles, potentially impacting their legal status.
The Attorney General has 60 days to clarify the definition of a pistol in federal regulations.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_HR_3823
Sponsor: Rep. Good, Bob [R-VA-5]
Process start date: 2021-06-11
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

PISTOL Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_HR_3823.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-06-11.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • New rifle definition: a weapon designed to be fired from the shoulder, firing a single projectile per trigger pull.
  • Pistols with rear braces will not be automatically classified as rifles, potentially impacting their legal status.
  • The Attorney General has 60 days to clarify the definition of a pistol in federal regulations.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Good, Bob [R-VA-5].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-28.

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