[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 50 (Thursday, March 14, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9239-9240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-04799]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

27 CFR Parts 447, 478, and 479

[Docket No. 2018R-22F; AG Order No. 4406-2019]
RIN 1140-AA52


Bump-Stock-Type Devices

AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; 
Department of Justice.

ACTION: Final rule; ratification.

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SUMMARY: The Attorney General is ratifying a final rule, published in 
the Federal Register on December 26, 2018, that amended the definition 
of ``machinegun'' (or ``machine gun'') in Department of Justice 
regulations. The ratification is issued as a prudential matter in light 
of pending litigation.

DATES: March 14, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vivian Chu, Office of Regulatory 
Affairs, Enforcement Programs and Services, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 
Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Department of Justice, 99 New York Ave. 
NE, Washington, DC 20226; telephone: (202) 648-7070.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 26, 2018, the Department of 
Justice published a final rule in the

[[Page 9240]]

Federal Register that amended the definition of ``machinegun'' (or 
``machine gun'') contained in 27 CFR 447.11, 478.11, and 479.11. See 83 
FR 66514. That final rule, which was adopted after the publication of a 
notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register and a period of 
public comment, was signed by Acting Attorney General Matthew G. 
Whitaker on December 18, 2018.
    That final rule has become the subject of litigation in which 
parties have argued that Mr. Whitaker was not validly serving as the 
Acting Attorney General, as either a statutory or constitutional 
matter.
    On February 14, 2019, I was sworn in as Attorney General following 
confirmation by the Senate and appointment by the President. Although I 
believe that the challenges to Mr. Whitaker's designation lack merit, I 
elected, out of an abundance of caution, to independently reevaluate 
the above-mentioned rule and the underlying rulemaking record.
    Having now familiarized myself with the rulemaking record that was 
before the Acting Attorney General and having reevaluated those 
materials without any deference to his earlier decision, I have 
personally come to the conclusion that it is appropriate to ratify and 
affirm the final rule as it was published at 83 FR 66514, and I hereby 
do so.

    Dated: March 11, 2019.
William P. Barr,
Attorney General.
[FR Doc. 2019-04799 Filed 3-12-19; 11:15 am]
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