A week ago we broke news to you that the ATF had somewhat suddenly deemed the Q Honey Badger pistol platform was somehow an SBR and thusly issued a cease and desist against Q LLC. In a letter released to the public on October 14th, Q detailed their decision to cease the production of the Honey Badger pistol until the ATF further clarifies their evaluation of the platform. At the time of writing, Q has officially shut down the production of the Honey Badger Pistol.

SHUT DOWN: Q LLC Forced to stop Producing Honey Badger Pistol

SHUT DOWN: Q LLC Forced to stop Producing Honey Badger Pistol

Dear Customer: 

Last Friday, October 9, 2020, our attorneys received a letter from ATF Chief Counsel Joel Roessner “temporarily  suspending the Cease and Desist letter” associated with the Honey Badger Pistol by Q®. The letter states that  the suspension, “will remain in effect for a period of sixty (60) days . . . unless withdrawn or extended by ATF.”  The stated purpose of the suspension is to allow the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) an opportunity, “to further  review the applicability of the National Firearms Act to the manufacture and transfer of the model ‘Honey Badger  Pistol’ firearm.” 

Our attorneys quickly followed up to inquire if the underlying Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division  evaluation was also suspended but have not received a response. Regardless, until we are told otherwise by the  U.S. government of a permanent decision, we must assume that the suspension of the Cease and Desist letter does  not impact the ATF’s position that the Honey Badger Pistol is a National Firearms Act (“NFA”) weapon, as the  ATF could arbitrarily withdraw the suspension at any time. 

We believe this 60-day suspension is an effort to put manufacturers, distributors, and consumers at ease, and to  postpone the issue past the presidential election in hopes that a new administration will take a different view. Using licensees as political pawns is unbecoming of a regulatory agency and ignoring the underlying evaluation in this letter is simply irresponsible. Q will not succumb to this level or irresponsibility. Therefore, without further clarification from ATF on their evaluation, we will not continue manufacturing the Honey Badger Pistol.1

Once again, we urge you to continue the pressure and contact the Department of Justice (ATF’s parent agency)  by using this Take Action link provided by the National Rifle Association. 

Additionally, we encourage you to continue reaching out to the White House and ask President Trump to halt  and rollback ATF’s efforts to issue arbitrary and capricious decisions affecting millions of legal gun owners. 

SHUT DOWN: Q LLC Forced to stop Producing Honey Badger Pistol

Q has encouraged everyone to put any pressure they can on the Department of Justice and the President to discourage arbitrary decision making like this. I have provided the links below where you can do this yourself. Sadly, for now, it looks like the Honey Badger Pistol is taking a bit of a dirt name but hopefully in time we will see it re-emerge onto the market. For what its worth, despite their past sins, the NRA seems to have finally gotten up off of their collective asses and actually directly contacted the White House regarding this recent happening. Perhaps there is still yet Hope.

SHUT DOWN: Q LLC Forced to stop Producing Honey Badger Pistol

Contact Resources:

• White House Comment Line:  

o (202) 456-1111 / Email 

Residents from the following states and districts should reach out to their congressional representatives to let  them know what they think of ATF’s actions: 

• Kentucky – Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) – https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/ o (202) 224-2541 / Email
• Alabama – Sen. Richard Shelby (R) – Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and oversees funding of DOJ/ATF. https://www.shelby.senate.gov/public/

o (202) 224-5744 / Email 

• Kansas – Sen. Jerry Moran (R) – Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and  Related Agencies (CJS) which is responsible for funding the ATF. 

o (202) 224-6521 / Email 

• South Carolina – Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) – Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is responsible for ATF oversight.  

o (202) 224-5972 / Email 

• Ohio 4th District – Congressman Jim Jordan (R) – Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee which has jurisdiction over 2nd amendment issues. https://jordan.house.gov/ o (202) 225-2676 / Email

• If you’re not from one these States, you can find your representative’s contact information here:  www.contactingcongress.org/ 

SHUT DOWN: Q LLC Forced to stop Producing Honey Badger Pistol