Sixteen Democratic AGs Sue ATF to Block Forced Reset Trigger Redistribution

Sixteen Democratic Attorneys General, including Maryland's Anthony Brown and Washington's Nick Brown, have filed a lawsuit to block the Trump administration and ATF from redistributing Forced Reset Triggers (FRTs), devices that allow semi-automatic firearms to fire continuously with a single trigger pull. The lawsuit contends that returning these devices, which are banned under federal and state laws, would increase gun violence and public safety risks, citing potential mass shootings and high healthcare costs from firearm injuries. The Trump DOJ settled litigation by ending enforcement of the Biden-era ban on FRTs following a federal court ruling that these devices are not classified as machine guns under federal law, leading to plans to return thousands of seized FRTs. Supporters of the redistribution, including the National Association for Gun Rights, argue that FRTs do not convert firearms into machine guns and that the lawsuit is politically motivated. The coalition of states calls the redistribution reckless and dangerous, emphasizing that while FRTs are federally lawful after the court ruling, state bans remain effective. The legal battle centers on the classification and safety implications of FRTs and reflects broader tensions over gun control policies under President Trump’s administration.