Everytown for Gun Safety, the Bloomberg-funded anti-2A juggernaut, is at it again with their latest cry of foul play: accusing the ATF of being captured by the gun industry in response to proposed rule changes that actually aim to clarify and streamline regulations on pistol braces and stabilizing devices. This isn’t just sour grapes—it’s a classic playbook move from the gun control crowd, who reflexively blame industry capture whenever bureaucracy doesn’t deliver the iron-fisted crackdown they crave. Remember, Everytown’s been waging war on these accessories since the ATF’s 2023 final rule deemed many braced pistols short-barreled rifles under the NFA, forcing law-abiding owners into a nightmare of registration or disassembly. Now, with whispers of revisions to make the rule less draconian—perhaps exempting truly pistol-like configurations—their feathers are ruffled, exposing their real agenda: not safety, but incremental disarmament.

Let’s dissect the hypocrisy. Everytown portrays the ATF as a puppet of manufacturers like SB Tactical, yet ignores how their own pressure campaigns have shaped agency actions for years. The original brace rule was a regulatory overreach born from advocacy groups like theirs, upheld (barely) by activist judges despite zero criminal use data tying braces to crime waves. If capture means listening to stakeholders—firearms makers, users, and even some Democrats pushing back on ATF extremism—then count us in. This claim reeks of desperation amid shifting political winds: post-Chevron deference’s demise in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, courts are less inclined to rubber-stamp agency fiat, forcing the ATF to justify rules with actual evidence rather than vibes. Everytown’s whine signals weakness; they’re losing the narrative as public support for 2A protections hits record highs.

For the 2A community, this is a rallying cry and a strategic win. It underscores the power of unified pushback—lawsuits from groups like GOA and FPC, plus manufacturer lobbying—that’s peeling back Biden-era excesses. Implications? Expect more proposed tweaks to empower everyday carriers without NFA tax stamps, bolstering self-defense options amid rising crime. Gun owners should mobilize: comment on ATF dockets, support pro-2A litigation, and amplify how Everytown’s fearmongering alienates moderates. The industry isn’t capturing the ATF; it’s restoring balance against elite overreach. Stay vigilant—this fight’s far from over, but momentum’s on our side.