Franklin Armory Declares Independence from the NFA with Antithesis

Franklin Armory, one of America’s leading manufacturers of innovative firearms and accessories, 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.

Franklin Armory’s 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.”

To learn more about the available configurations now shipping from Franklin Armory’s Antithesis SBF lineup, visit FranklinArmory.com.

Licensing Antithesis

Recognizing the potential for Antithesis to positively impact the larger firearms industry, Franklin Armory is offering licensing rights to other manufacturers.

About Franklin Armory

Safeguarding the God-given right to protect self and property is Franklin Armory’s enduring mission. From the “Battle Born” State of Nevada, the firm engineers and manufactures quality firearms and accessories for sporting, defense, and law enforcement applications. Highly adept at creating innovative products that are 100% designed, machined, and built in America, the People of Franklin Armory are genuine Facilitators of Freedom.

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