After a significant negative response, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is now saying it is postponing its proposed ban on certain types of rifle ammunition.
"Although ATF endeavored to create a proposal that reflected a good faith interpretation of the law and balanced the interests of law enforcement, industry, and sportsmen, the vast majority of the comments received to date are critical of the framework, and include issues that deserve further study," the government agency
wrote about the decision.
As a result the ATF said that it "will not at this time seek to issue a final framework."
According to the ATF, it "has already received more than 80,000 comments" on the proposed ban, which it says it will make public "as soon as practicable."
The federal agency said that when the comment period closes on March 16, it will "further evaluate the issues raised therein, and provide additional open and transparent process (for example, through additional proposals and opportunities for comment) before proceeding with any framework."
The ATF announced that it was considering proposing a ban on certain types of 5.56mm rounds, or .223 caliber, which is a type of ammunition used used in AR-15 rifles.
Specifically, only
"M855 green tip" or "SS109" rounds that contain particular metal cores would be affected.
The rule if implemented would prevent ammo makers from making these types of rifle ammo, but would allow those who already own such ammo to continue to legally own it.
The proposal has been widely criticized as a backdoor way for the Obama administration to implement gun control without legislation.
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