Breaking News: Bump Stock Ban Struck Down
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy want to inform everyone about a recent Supreme Court decision. The purpose of this blog post is to go over the recent overturning of the federal bump stock ban by the Supreme Court. Without further ado, lets discuss the bump stock ban being struck down.
What Happened?
The Supreme Court decided
Garland v. Cargill on Friday June 14, 2024 in a 6-3 decision. In the ruling, the court states that the ATF exceeded their authority by classifying the bump stocks as machine guns. When writing the majority opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas stated that bump stocks did not meet the established federal definition of a machine gun. This is because only one round is being fired per trigger press, unlike a machine gun. Machine guns and fully automatic firearms will continue to fire when their trigger is held down.
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When Were Bump Stocks Banned?
Bump stocks were initially banned in the wake of the October 1, 2017 Route 91 shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trump administration subsequently banned the devices, with the ATF determining that the devices met the legal definition of machine guns in 2018.
What Does This Mean?
Simply put; by rejecting the ban on bump stocks, these types of accessories are now legal. These devices are no long deemed machine guns by the ATF, meaning that there is no federal law restricting their ownership. That being said, there are still a number of states and the District of Columbia which have existing laws banning bump stocks. Simply put, there is no federal law prohibiting the possession of bump stocks anymore and all state and local restrictions on these devices still apply.
What is a Bump Stock?
A bump stock is essentially a contraption which attaches to a firearm like an AR-15 and allows the end user to increase their potential rate of fire. This is typically done with some sliding mechanism which works in conjunction with the recoil of the firearm. Under recoil, a bump stock essentially forces a user’s finger to rapidly press the trigger. These rapid trigger presses allow for the firearm to put many rounds down range and an expedient rate. These devices are distinct from actual machine guns and fully automatic firearms as one trigger pull is still needed for each round fired.
Implications for the Future
This decision by the Supreme Court may potentially weigh on and influence future decisions and rulings. Specifically, this decision may be referenced in upcoming legal battles regarding ATF regulation of certain accessories and the fluid definition of what constitutes a machine gun. Proponents of gun control measures are already speaking out against the decision and calling for Congressional action to ban the devices and assault weapons. Those who champion gun rights are hailing the decision as a welcome victory at the highest level of the court system, hoping it will lead to further victories for gun rights.
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So What? I Don’t Use Bump Stocks
Even if you do not use or like bump stocks, the implications of this decision are good for gun owners. This is an example of gun owners scoring a win at the highest court level in the United States. This decision has the potential to act as a precedent for future cases in which accessories are targeted by regulations. Think about all of the arbitrary restrictions and regulations which have been proposed and enacted over the last decade or so with the context of this recent decision. We have been given a recent Supreme Court ruling in which they determined that the ATF overstepped their authority in a regulatory capacity. This can hopefully be applied to future and past restrictions and regulations, batting back arbitrary and frustrating hinderances to the exercise of the 2
nd Amendment.
Conclusion
There we have it. This decision was in the making for over six years, finally coming to fruition in June, 2024. The immediate impact and future implications of this case are considerable as a previously banned type of accessory is legal once again in addition to potential future decisions being influenced by the
Cargill v. Garland decision. Hopefully, this bodes well for future decisions and actions taken by the Supreme Court in the defense and expansion of gun rights.
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