Congressman Andrew Clyde from Georgia has reintroduced the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act in the House of Representatives, aiming to eliminate certain regulations under the National Firearms Act (NFA). The proposal seeks to remove taxation, registration, and regulation requirements on short-barreled rifles, shotguns, and other weapons. Senator Roger Marshall introduced a companion bill in the Senate.
Congressman Clyde criticized the administration, stating, “The Biden-Harris Administration dangerously weaponized the draconian National Firearms Act to further infringe on Americans’ Second Amendment liberties.” He emphasized the need to deregulate short-barreled firearms to protect gun owners from what he sees as “unlawful and unnecessary restrictions, taxation, and registration.”
Senator Marshall voiced his support, advocating for the restoration of gun owner rights. “‘Shall not be infringed’ is crystal clear – and the Biden-era abuses of the Constitutionally protected rights of gun owners across the country need to be undone,” Marshall said, encouraging Congress to pass the legislation.
The proposed act has garnered support from gun rights organizations. Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs for Gun Owners of America, pointed out that the policy change “affects millions of law-abiding gun owners and does nothing to curb rising crime.” Similarly, Hunter King, Director of Political Affairs for the National Association of Gun Rights, described the act as “a long overdue step toward restoring the rights of Americans.”
The proposal is backed by 45 original cosponsors in the House, including Representatives such as Jodey Arrington from Texas and Brian Babin from Texas.
The SHORT Act aims to address the classification of firearms under the NFA, which the current administration has used to classify pistols with stabilizing braces as illegal short-barreled rifles. Congressman Clyde previously introduced the act in the 117th and 118th Congress sessions.
