Franklin Armory Antithesis UPDATE
UPDATE
Franklin Armory has issued an update on its Antithesis line of short-barreled firearms:
Last night, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requested that we voluntarily bring back all 5.56 caliber Antithesis firearms in advance of the agency issuing a new classification. We were surprised by this in light of the U.S. District Court’s ruling in FRAC v. Bondi.
Out of an abundance of caution and for the well-being of consumers, dealers and distributors, we are voluntarily requesting all of our customers to return their 5.56 caliber Antithesis firearms for a full refund.
We encourage customers who have taken possession of an Antithesis firearm to contact Franklin Armory Customer service for an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) and shipping label. This return does not affect Reformation, the .410/45LC Antithesis or any other firearm made by Franklin Armory.
As Facilitators of Freedom, we are actively raising our concerns with various entities within Congress and the Trump Administration. We are also hopeful that continued negotiations with ATF can arrive at a solution that avoids litigation if at all possible.
Be assured, this will not be the final chapter on Antithesis.
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Franklin Armory has announced today the launch of Antithesis, a new class of rifled, short-barrel firearm completely unregulated by the National Firearms Act (NFA). Franklin Armory is now shipping 12.5-inch, 12-inch and 7.5-inch barreled configurations of the new Antithesis SBF (Short-barreled Franklin) firearm line, each chambered in 5.56 NATO.
The Antithesis features a rifled barrel, yet is free and clear from any NFA restrictions due to its unique characteristic of being designed and intended to fire both single and multiple projectile fixed cartridges. A Federal District Court earlier this year ruled that Antithesis cannot be considered a rifle under either the NFA or the Gun Control Act (GCA) based on definitions used in both statutes. Antithesis is simply a GCA-only regulated “firearm.”
As Judge Daniel M. Traynor opined: Franklin Armory designed the Antithesis to fire multiple kinds of ammunition. The weapon does not fire only a single projectile. Firing multiple projectiles is not incidental or a by-product. The Antithesis is a square peg and calling it round will not change how it fits into the round hole of these statutes. Therefore, ATF exceeded its authority by not giving the plain meaning to the words of the statute.
This complete absolution of Franklin Armory’s Antithesis from NFA regulations is further codified through a consent decree between the manufacturer and the U.S. Department of Justice. As affirmed in the agreement and adjudicated by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, Antithesis firearms are:
- Not “firearm[s]” under 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a),
- Not “short-barreled rifle[s]” under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(8),
- Not subject to the requirements of 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(4) and 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(4)
Franklin Armory’s Antithesis SBF can now be purchased and transferred simply as a “firearm” on Form 4473. Furthermore, Antithesis SBF firearms are not subject to onerous NFA restrictions regarding interstate transport or interfamilial possession.
“Prior ATF officials called our ideas ‘absurd,’ but the court’s plain reading of the statutes has vindicated our logical conclusions,” said Franklin Armory President Jay Jacobson. “We have lived with the NFA for 91 years. Thanks to the current administration’s willingness to resolve the matter, we now have more ways to enjoy our Second Amendment.”
