SIG Sauer sues ATF for calling its muzzle brake a gun silencer

[Jgarrick]

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?aid=/20140410/NEWS/404100392



NEWINGTON — Gun maker SIG Sauer has filed a civil suit against the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives claiming the federal agency wrongfully classified a "muzzle brake" SIG Sauer designed to reduce recoil as an item "intended only for use" when making a silencer.

SIG Sauer claims gun silencers are "subject to burdensome legal requirements," and by calling its muzzle brake a part for a silencer, the federal agency is subjecting it to "economic injury."

"If classified as a silencer, no market exists for the subject device given that it will not silence, muffle or diminish the report of a firearm and yet it would still be subject to the burdensome requirements set forth above as if it really is a silencer," SIG Sauer argues through Manchester attorney Mark Rouvalis and Virginia attorney Stephen Halbrook.

ATF Director B. Todd Jones is named as a defendant in SIG Sauer's lawsuit and has 21 days after being served to respond to the civil action, which is dated April 7.

(Excerpt, remainder of article at link)

Good luck to SIG!

[SQUEE]

1. I am glad they are pushing back on ATFs arbitrary silliness.

But, that weapon design makes absolutely no sense to me...

[geckosfeet]

2. Not a utilitarian piece by any means. Sub machine gun/machine pistol - LE and military only.

Must make sense to someone....

Available in four LE/MIL ONLY Variants and one Semi-auto Carbine version.
sig-mpx[/link]

[appal_jack]

5. The semi-auto carbine version is civilian legal in most states.

Last edited Thu Apr 10, 2014, 09:32 PM - Edit history (2)

The semi-auto carbine version of that Sig is civilian legal in most states (some exclusions apply: NJ, MA, NY, CT, CA, MD & maybe others).

I wouldn't mind owning a pistol-caliber carbine that shared magazines with one of my semi-auto pistols. But since I only own a CZ 9mm and a 1911 .45, the options are few if any. Marlin made a carbine that could accept 1911 mags, but it's out of production now, and prices on used models have climbed higher than I would want to pay.

The restriction on the muzzle brake is absurd. The Russians make an AK brake similar to that, though I think that it has only been imported to the US in small quantities and perhaps via unofficial channels. Baffles do not make for a silencer unless there is a solid can surrounding them. It's academic to me - with a house to build and many other upcoming expenses, I'm out of the gun market for quite a while.

-app

[Jgarrick]

3. Presumably the bizarre looking muzzle brake is permanently attached to give it a barrel length

of 16".

Typical feel-good law, and a stupid one at that. But I repeat myself.

[SQUEE]

4. I get what they are trying..

but the loss of muzzle velocity versus a full length barrel.. yeah just seems a complete waste of time.
Offer as a true 9mm carbine, or in a pistol configuration and allow end user to SBR.. I shudder to think of what happens when the supports,or extensions or whateve on that take some rough handling and the flash hider is no longer alligned.