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| A bump fire stock that attaches to a semi-automatic rifle to increase the firing rate is seen at Good Guys Gun Shop in Orem, Utah on Oct. 4, 2017. Photo courtesy: George Frey, Reuters |
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal ban on bump stocks, devices that enable semi-automatic weapons to fire rapidly like machine guns, is unlawful. This ruling, delivered on June 14, 2024, has significant implications for gun control legislation and the ongoing national debate over firearm regulation.
The case was brought before the Supreme Court by Michael Cargill, a Texas-based gun owner and dealer, who argued that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) overstepped its authority by implementing the ban without congressional approval. The ban was initially put in place during the Trump administration following the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, where bump stocks were used to kill 58 people and injure hundreds more.
Legal Arguments and the Court’s Decision
The central legal question was whether bump stocks fall under the statutory definition of a "machinegun" as defined by the National Firearms Act. The ATF had classified bump stocks as machine guns, arguing that they allow a semi-automatic weapon to fire continuously with a single pull of the trigger. The Trump administration, which pushed for the ban, maintained that bump stocks effectively turned legal semi-automatic firearms into illegal machine guns, thus justifying the regulation.
U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar defended the ban, stating that bump stocks enable shooters to fire hundreds of rounds per minute, akin to a machine gun, without the need to manually reload. She argued that the court should interpret the law to prevent such dangerous circumvention of gun regulations.
On the other hand, Cargill's defense contended that bump stocks do not change the fundamental operation of the trigger. They argued that the shooter must still perform separate actions to fire each shot, albeit at a faster rate, thus not fitting the machine gun definition. The defense emphasized that the ATF had previously not classified bump stocks as machine guns and argued that the reinterpretation was both unauthorized and retroactively criminalized lawful ownership and use of bump stocks.
The Supreme Court, siding with Cargill, found that the ATF had indeed exceeded its regulatory authority. The court's majority opinion highlighted that only Congress has the power to alter the definition of machine guns to include devices like bump stocks. The ruling thus vacated the ban, stating that the executive branch cannot unilaterally impose such regulations without clear legislative backing.
Implications for Gun Control
This ruling marks a significant victory for gun rights advocates and has sparked widespread reactions across the political spectrum. Proponents of the ruling argue that it reinforces the importance of adhering to the legislative process and prevents federal agencies from overstepping their bounds.
Nick Suplina, senior vice president for law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety, expressed disappointment with the decision, stating, "Guns equipped with bump stocks can cause massive devastation. These devices fire like machine guns and kill like machine guns, so it’s a no-brainer that they should be regulated like machine guns". Gun control advocates fear that this decision could pave the way for other deregulations, potentially increasing the availability of rapid-fire weapons and contributing to higher risks of mass shootings.
Conversely, Mark Chenoweth, president of the New Civil Liberties Alliance, welcomed the ruling, stating that it protects citizens from overreach by federal agencies. He emphasized that regulatory changes of such magnitude should come from Congress, not executive interpretation. This viewpoint resonates with those who believe in strict adherence to the separation of powers and limited government intervention in gun ownership rights.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
The debate over bump stocks and similar devices has been a contentious issue in American politics. The National Firearms Act of 1934 was the first major federal law to regulate firearms, specifically targeting machine guns used by gangsters during the Prohibition era. Subsequent amendments in 1968 and 1986 further tightened regulations on automatic weapons. However, the rise of semi-automatic weapons and accessories like bump stocks has challenged existing legal frameworks.
The Supreme Court's decision underscores the complexities of modern gun control and the challenges of regulating new firearm technologies within old legislative structures. It also highlights the ongoing tension between federal authority and individual gun rights, a theme that has persisted throughout American history.
As the nation reacts to this ruling, it is clear that the debate over gun control is far from settled. Legislators may now face increased pressure to address the gaps highlighted by this decision and to craft clearer, more comprehensive laws that can effectively regulate the use of advanced firearm technologies. Until then, the ruling serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between upholding constitutional rights and ensuring public safety in an era of rapidly evolving weaponry.
