The Senate has voted down a GOP-led resolution that would have, if fully approved, booted recent rules on what are known as stabilizing braces from the federal books.
The restrictions target devices generally known to increase the capabilities of firearms with which they’re used, with special exceptions for such braces meant specifically — without ambiguity — for assisting individuals with a disability in firing a gun.
The nature of the proposal would have required a presidential signature — or two-thirds majorities in both chambers — before becoming fully active, meaning it was highly unlikely the rollback would actually be effectuated even if it had passed the Senate. The House recently voted on potentially overriding the president’s veto of a similar resolution that would have trashed his administration’s plan to provide broad relief from student loan debt — and those backing the idea of dumping the debt relief plan fell far below the level of support they’d have needed to overcome Biden’s opposition. Almost all Dems opposed the resolution, meaning they backed leaving the debt relief plan in place, though it’s separately under challenge at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Republicans have been clamoring loudly against those trying to restrict stabilizing braces, predictably alleging some kind of violation of Second Amendment rights. In the Senate, the final vote on the possibility of expressing binding Congressional disapproval of the stabilizing braces rule from the federal agency known as the ATF had 49 in favor and 50 against, meaning a slim majority supported leaving the rules in place. Even West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin, known for breaking with his party in favor of a more conservative viewpoint, voted with those supporting the restrictions on those braces. Elsewhere, Republicans remain generally undeterred in their pro-gun furor, as Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) has even introduced a proposal to defund the ATF… undercutting the conservative idea that their side is against defunding the police!
