DOJ Retreats in Forced Reset Trigger Fight — What Gun Owners Need to Know

In a major win for gun owners and the Constitution, the U.S. Department of Justice has settled multiple lawsuits brought by Rare Breed Triggers and Second Amendment advocacy groups. The lawsuits stemmed from the ATF’s controversial decision to classify forced reset triggers (FRTs) as “machine guns” — a move that bypassed Congress and criminalized thousands of law-abiding citizens overnight.

Now, after years of legal battles, the DOJ has backed down.

What Are Forced Reset Triggers?

Forced reset triggers are devices that allow a semi-automatic firearm to fire more quickly by mechanically forcing the trigger to reset after each shot. While they can increase the rate of fire, they still require one trigger pull per round fired, keeping them firmly within the legal definition of semi-automatic.

But under the Biden administration, the ATF took the radical step of redefining FRTs as “machine guns” under the National Firearms Act. That move led to raids, confiscations, and legal threats against companies like Rare Breed and thousands of customers.

What the Settlement Means

According to the DOJ’s official press release, the federal government has now agreed to:

• Dismiss the lawsuits against Rare Breed Triggers and related parties.

• Return seized FRTs that were taken from individual owners.

• Stop enforcing the machine gun classification against these specific devices.

The DOJ also made it clear that it “will not assert in this litigation that the FRT-15 is a machine gun.” While the government hasn’t explicitly admitted it was wrong, the effect of the settlement is the same: a complete legal retreat.

A Legal and Political Win

This isn’t just a win in the courtroom — it’s a strategic victory in the broader war over administrative overreach. For years, the ATF has used regulatory sleight-of-hand to impose restrictions without going through Congress. That approach allowed unelected bureaucrats to treat law-abiding gun owners like criminals, with no new laws passed and no accountability.

Now, under a new administration, that approach is being reversed. And according to constitutional attorney Mark Smith (The Four Boxes Diner), this type of court-ordered, permanent injunctive relief may be key to preventing future abuses. Once a court enters a final judgment in a case like this, future administrations will have a much harder time reinstating the same unconstitutional policies.

Why It Matters

Let’s be clear: This fight was never just about one trigger. It was about the right to own firearm components without fear of sudden criminalization. It was about rejecting the idea that the executive branch can legislate by fiat. And most importantly, it was about reasserting that freedom in America means you’re allowed to do something unless it’s clearly and lawfully prohibited, not the other way around.

We now have confirmation that:

• FRTs like the Rare Breed FRT-15 will no longer be treated as machine guns.

• Gun owners who had their property seized may get it back.

• The federal government is pulling back, not doubling down.

That’s progress.