Yo, listen up. The Supreme Court just dropped a major bomb on the Biden administration’s attempt to ban those wack bump stocks that can turn semi-automatic rifles into machine guns. Talk about a buzzkill for gun control advocates. Biden’s all like “Thoughts and prayers aren’t enough” and calling on Congress to hook him up with a bill to ban assault weapons and pass other gun laws ASAP. Meanwhile, Chuck Schumer’s pushing to close the bump stock loophole for good. But the NRA’s pumped and some governors are vowing to protect people’s right to bear these arms, court ruling or not. Where do you stand? However this plays out, it’s sure to be a political firefight. Buckle up and get ready to rumble as we dive into the deets.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Federal Ban on Bump Stocks
Bump stocks turn semiautomatic rifles into machine guns
Bump stocks are accessories that allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at nearly the rate of fully automatic machine guns. By using the recoil energy of each shot to rapidly pull the trigger, bump stocks can increase a semiautomatic rifle’s rate of fire from 45-60 rounds per minute to 400-800 rounds per minute.
ATF banned bump stocks after Las Vegas shooting
Following the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting that killed 58 people, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reclassified bump stocks as machine guns, effectively banning them. The shooter in Las Vegas had outfitted multiple semiautomatic rifles with bump stocks, allowing him to injure over 400 people in just 10 minutes.
Court ruled ATF overstepped authority
In a 6-3 decision, the conservative majority of the Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the ATF does not have the authority to reclassify bump stocks as machine guns. The court said that federal law defines a machine gun as a weapon that fires multiple rounds with a “single function of the trigger.” Since bump stocks require multiple trigger pulls, albeit at a high rate of speed, they do not meet the legal definition of a machine gun.
Congress urged to pass new laws
In the wake of the ruling, President Biden and gun control advocates urged Congress to pass new legislation specifically banning bump stocks and closing loopholes in existing gun laws. However, it’s uncertain whether such bills could pass in the closely divided Congress. For now, bump stocks will remain legal and available for purchase in much of the U.S., though some states have passed their own bans.
Biden and Gun Control Advocates Criticize Ruling, Call for Action
Biden Pushes for Assault Weapons Ban
President Biden expressed disappointment in the Supreme Court’s decision and reiterated his call for Congress to take action against assault weapons. “Today’s Supreme Court decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation. We know thoughts and prayers are not enough,” Biden tweeted. He urged lawmakers to send him legislation banning assault weapons and bump stocks so he can sign it immediately. Biden has long supported an assault weapons ban and other gun control measures.
Gun Control Groups Fear Ruling’s Impact
Advocates for stronger gun laws worry the ruling could undermine other restrictions like state bans on bump stocks and assault weapons. “The Supreme Court got this decision horribly wrong,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “This ruling will only embolden the gun lobby and industry to challenge and weaken more life-saving gun laws.” The Brady gun control group called the decision “baffling and misguided” and said it “defies common sense.” Gun rights groups, however, applauded the ruling as a victory for the Second Amendment.
Calls for Background Checks, Red Flag Laws
In the wake of this ruling, many are urging Congress to take other actions like instituting universal background checks on all gun sales and passing extreme risk protection order laws to allow courts to temporarily remove guns from those deemed an imminent danger. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would bring up legislation to re-ban bump stocks for a vote. Rep. Haley Stevens said bump stocks “make guns even more lethal” and Congress must act quickly to re-ban them and save lives.
While this ruling was a setback, Biden and gun safety advocates are determined to keep pushing for laws and policies aimed at reducing gun deaths in America. The issue of gun control remains divisive, but for many, this is a matter of life and death that demands action. Stronger background checks and a ban on assault weapons could be steps toward compromise and finding common ground.
What Exactly Are Bump Stocks and How Do They Work?
Bump stocks are attachments that modify semiautomatic rifles, allowing them to fire at a faster rate, similar to automatic weapons.
They harness a gun’s recoil energy to rapidly bump the trigger against the shooter’s finger.
When a round is fired, the gun slides backward into the stock. The bump stock then directs the recoil energy to push the gun forward again, bumping the trigger against the stationary finger and firing another round. This motion can continue rapidly, firing many shots in quick succession. Some bump stocks can achieve 400 to 800 rounds per minute.
Bump stocks replace a rifle’s standard stock, which is the part held against the shoulder. They attach to the butt of the rifle and use the energy from the recoil to slide the gun back and forth, bumping the trigger against the shooter’s stationary finger. Pulling the trigger once allows the bump stock to take over, firing multiple shots with a single continuous pull of the trigger.
The bump stock contains springs and slides that harness the recoil energy of each shot to force the trigger against the finger. With practice, shooters can achieve rates of fire very close to fully automatic weapons.
Bump stocks are controversial because they effectively enable semiautomatic rifles to function similarly to illegal fully automatic rifles.
In summary, bump stocks are dangerous devices that modify semiautomatic rifles to fire at nearly fully automatic rates. By harnessing a rifle’s recoil energy, they allow continuous firing by bumping the trigger against the shooter’s finger with each shot. Bump stocks undermine federal laws restricting automatic weapons and have enabled some of the deadliest mass shootings in US history.
History of the Bump Stock Ban – From Las Vegas Shooting to Trump to SCOTUS
After the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, the country debated how to prevent such tragedies from happening again. The shooter in the 2017 Las Vegas massacre used bump stocks to modify semiautomatic rifles, allowing them to fire at nearly the rate of fully automatic machine guns. In response, the Trump administration took action and banned bump stocks through a federal rule. However, the Supreme Court just struck down that rule, throwing the issue back into the spotlight.
The Las Vegas Shooting
On October 1, 2017, a gunman opened fire from a hotel room onto a country music festival in Las Vegas, killing 58 people and wounding hundreds more. The shooter used bump stocks, devices that attach to semiautomatic rifles like the AR-15 to accelerate the firing rate from 45-60 rounds per minute to 400-800 rounds per minute, a rate nearly as fast as machine guns. In the aftermath, there were calls to ban bump stocks to prevent them from being used in future mass shootings.
Trump Bans Bump Stocks
In December 2018, the Trump administration announced a federal rule officially classifying bump stocks as “machine guns” under existing law. This made it illegal for civilians to possess bump stocks, and owners had to destroy or surrender them. The rule was enacted in March 2019, despite legal challenges. It marked a reversal for Trump, who was endorsed by the NRA, and a rare moment of gun control action.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Ban
However, in June 2024 the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration did not have the authority to reclassify bump stocks as machine guns. The court said that federal law defines a machine gun as a weapon that can fire multiple rounds with a single function of the trigger, and bump stocks do not meet that definition. The ruling throws the issue back to Congress to pass legislation specifically outlawing bump stocks if there is the political will. Gun control advocates expressed disappointment with the ruling, while gun rights groups said the Trump administration overreached in its rulemaking.
The bump stock debate highlights the complexities around balancing public safety concerns over powerful firearms with Second Amendment rights. With the Supreme Court striking down the federal ban, it will again be up to lawmakers to determine whether and how to regulate devices like bump stocks.
What’s Next? Will Congress Pass a New Bump Stock Ban?
The Supreme Court’s ruling striking down Trump’s bump stock ban now puts the ball back in Congress’ court. Many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called for legislation to officially outlaw bump stocks in the wake of mass shootings where the devices were used. With the SCOTUS decision reigniting the debate, Congress may feel added pressure to take action.
Calls for Action
President Biden urged Congress to send him a bill banning bump stocks so he can sign it immediately. Senators like Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have also pushed for votes on bump stock bans following the ruling. Many gun safety groups are rallying support for new legislation, arguing that bump stocks have no place in civilian life and only exist to maximize casualties.
Previous Attempts
In the wake of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, there were several attempts to ban bump stocks through legislation. Bills were introduced in both the House and Senate but ultimately stalled. The Trump administration’s rule was an attempt to bypass Congress, but now that it has been struck down, lawmakers will likely renew their efforts. Gun rights groups argue that any ban would be an overreach that threatens Second Amendment rights.
An Uphill Battle
Passing gun legislation of any kind is an uphill battle in Congress. While bump stocks are relatively niche, any law restricting them could be seen as an infringement by gun rights advocates. With partisan divides as wide as ever, it’s unclear if enough Republicans would join Democrats in supporting a bump stock ban. And in the Senate, the 60-vote filibuster threshold means bipartisan support would be essential.
Still, the haunting memories of mass shootings where bump stocks were used may motivate lawmakers to find common ground. And with the SCOTUS ruling galvanizing public opinion, Congress could feel significant pressure to take some kind of action, however incremental, to curb gun deaths in America. While bump stocks themselves are just one small piece of the puzzle, banning them may at least be a start. The coming months will determine if Congress can rise to the occasion.
Conclusion
Bottom line, the Supreme Court ruling on bump stocks is a setback in the fight against gun violence. But this isn’t over. Now it’s on us, the people, to demand real change. Call your representatives, vote in November, and make your voice heard. The safety of our families and communities hangs in the balance. We can come together to pass common sense gun laws if we speak up. So speak up! Our lives are worth fighting for.
