There have been major developments in the nationwide fight over the ATF’s pistol brace rule. The Biden-era regulation has officially been vacated following litigation, and several related lawsuits have now been dismissed. But one critical case remains—and it could shape the future of pistol brace regulation.

After a federal court struck down the brace rule in Mock, and the appeal was dropped, the regulation was nullified nationwide. Lawsuits filed by groups like the Second Amendment Foundation were subsequently dismissed as moot.

However, a separate case brought by Gun Owners of America and the State of Texas in the Northern District of Texas is still active. Unlike the earlier challenges, this lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction preventing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from enforcing its underlying legal theory—that braced pistols qualify as short-barreled rifles under the National Firearms Act based on statutory interpretation alone.

The DOJ has now moved to dismiss that case, arguing courts cannot block “legal theories,” only final agency rules. While the ATF acknowledges the brace rule is gone, it has not disavowed its interpretation that braced pistols may fall under NFA definitions.

That distinction is crucial. Without a permanent injunction, a future administration could attempt to revive pistol brace restrictions through new rulemaking—or by relying directly on statutory interpretation.

With most brace lawsuits resolved, the GOA-Texas case may be the final opportunity to permanently close the door on renewed federal pistol brace enforcement.