According to attorney William Kirk, president of Washington Gun Law, several state Attorneys General are boasting about a supposed legal “victory” over the forced reset trigger (FRT) settlement – but Kirk says they won nothing at all. In a recent video, Kirk breaks down what really happened behind the scenes and why the victory claim is more political theater than legal truth.
Broadcasting from Rockford, Illinois, Kirk immediately likened the AGs’ behavior to a “cheap trick” – a nod to the local hometown of the famous rock band and a jab at what he sees as a deceptive public relations stunt. His message is blunt: the AGs filed a lawsuit after the rules were already changed, then claimed credit for something they never caused.
The Lawsuit Came Too Late to Matter
As Kirk explains, the case centers on the Department of Justice’s settlement with the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) concerning the return of forced reset triggers – devices the ATF once claimed could convert semiautomatic firearms into machine guns. On June 9, 2024, ATF published updated return procedures that included clear language: triggers would not be returned to states where possession is illegal.
Less than 24 hours later, a group of Attorneys General filed suit in the District of Maryland. Kirk calls the move “too little, too late.” The ATF had already made the policy crystal clear—no device would be returned to states that ban them. “They’re taking a victory lap over something that was never going to happen anyway,” Kirk said.
DOJ Already Addressed State Laws
Kirk emphasizes that the DOJ and ATF had always intended to respect state-level bans on these devices. He revealed that in private settlement talks, the government repeatedly assured that no FRTs or similar devices would be shipped back into prohibited jurisdictions.
“This was known to all the parties involved,” Kirk said. “It was part of the discussions from the beginning.” He adds that the ATF didn’t update their policy in response to the lawsuit—it was already in the works. The AGs’ legal filing had no bearing on that decision.
Court Rejected Their Claims
Things got worse for the AGs once the case actually hit the courtroom. Kirk reports that the court quickly found they lacked standing to challenge the settlement or drag other parties like Rare Breed and NAGR back into the dispute.
According to Kirk, the judge made it clear: these Attorneys General had no legal grounds to contest the agreement. Rare Breed and NAGR were dismissed from the lawsuit, and the remaining claims are likely headed for dismissal as well. “They were told they didn’t even have a claim,” Kirk said.
No Win, No Merit, No Standing
Despite their social media celebration, Kirk insists these AGs won absolutely nothing. He specifically called out Matthew Platkin of New Jersey, Rob Bonta of California, and Kwame Raoul of Illinois – all of whom took part in the lawsuit and publicized their involvement as if they had scored a major legal triumph.
“The truth of the matter is,” Kirk said, “they’re all taking a victory lap for something that they never even won.” He accuses them of misleading voters and using fear-based headlines to push anti-Second Amendment agendas.
The Real Story Was the Settlement Itself
Kirk reminded viewers that the real legal development was the settlement agreement between the DOJ and NAGR. That agreement, which ended the ATF’s aggressive push to seize FRTs without proper classification, included detailed conditions for their lawful return.
And importantly, as Kirk stressed, those conditions always excluded states where such devices are banned. The lawsuit added no new limitations; it merely rehashed what was already settled and published.
A Political Move Disguised as Legal Action
Kirk didn’t mince words in characterizing the AGs’ motivations. He called the lawsuit “a PR stunt” designed to please anti-gun constituents rather than actually defend the law. “They’re just trying to score points with their base,” he said. “They want to look like they’re doing something, even if it’s pointless.”
According to Kirk, this kind of legal theater creates confusion and undermines public trust. By claiming success where there was none, these officials distract from the real legal mechanics and potentially mislead residents about their rights and responsibilities.
Why This Matters Beyond FRTs
It might seem like a small squabble over technical devices, but this issue hits a much larger nerve. Forced reset triggers are just one front in a broader war over firearm regulations. When state officials misrepresent legal developments, they erode the credibility of the justice system and weaponize policy for political ends.
If a government office is willing to claim victory over a lawsuit that the court never even ruled in their favor, what else are they spinning? The public deserves clarity, not spin, when it comes to rights as vital as the Second Amendment.
The Law Was Already on the Books
Kirk stresses that lawful gun owners in states where FRTs are banned were never at risk of receiving prohibited devices. “It was never going to happen,” he said. “ATF and DOJ weren’t about to violate state laws.” The entire structure of the return policy was built around compliance from day one.
So when AGs claimed they “stopped” machine guns from flooding their states, they were essentially announcing that they stopped something that had never even started. Kirk’s conclusion? “Total nonsense.”
A Lesson in Legal Literacy
One of Kirk’s most powerful points is about legal literacy. Many gun owners, he says, are being misled by headlines and political rhetoric. That’s why he founded Washington Gun Law – to educate the public and empower lawful gun owners with facts, not fear.
“Part of being a lawful and responsible gun owner,” Kirk said, “is knowing what the law is and how it applies to you.” He urged viewers to stay informed, read primary sources, and question narratives that don’t add up.
No Win, Just Noise
At the end of the day, Kirk’s breakdown leaves little doubt: the Attorneys General who took credit for stopping the ATF were chasing headlines, not justice. The policy had already changed. The returns were already restricted. The court tossed out their arguments.
Still, they claimed victory. And in doing so, they revealed just how disconnected their rhetoric is from legal reality. As Kirk put it, “They’re taking a victory lap for something they didn’t even win.” And that should concern every American who values the truth more than politics.
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The article 2A Attorney Exposes AGs’ “Big Win” as Total Nonsense first appeared on Survival World.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.
