A vertical forward grip or foregrip is a vertical pistol grip mounted on the fore-end of a long gun firearm, designed for by the frontal support hand (or "off hand").
Vertical foregrips can have features located inside the inner diameter, such as a deployable bipod inside the grip's housing. The grip may also have a tactical light and the control switches molded into the grip's assembly. Other designs may contain storage space for spare parts, spare batteries for optics, weapon lights, or small first aid gear.
In May 1993, in response to legal action brought by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the South Carolina District Court's finding of fact concluded that a pistol modified with the addition of vertical fore grips was still a pistol and not any other weapon device. U.S. v. Davis, Cr. No. 8:93-106, Report of Magistrate
In an open letter sent to Federal Firearms Licensees in April 2006, the ATF stated their interpretation of the law: that installing a vertical forward grip on a handgun is the same as manufacturing an Any Other Weapon (AOW) category firearm and subject to registration and taxation, with significant penalties for manufacturing or possessing such an unregistered weapon.U.S. Department of Justice, Open letter to Federal Firearm Licensees concerning Adding a Vertical Fore Grip to a Handgun. Published April 10, 2006.
The ATF has stated that angled grips do not make an AOW from a handgun.ATF Letter 903050:MCP. 3311/2010-1021. 30 August 2010. Online version.
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