lawrota.com

The recent Supreme Court debate over the 2018 federal regulation banning bump stocks, rifle attachments that accelerate firing rates, exposes a legal gray area. The regulation, prompted by the tragic 2017 Las Vegas shooting, categorized bump stocks under existing machine gun prohibitions. However, the Court is divided on whether bump stocks truly meet the definition of a machine gun. This case raises questions about the legality of possessing bump stocks bought when they were legal and the broader implications for gun ownership rights.

In the oral arguments, the justices scrutinized the technical distinctions between semiautomatic rifles and machine guns. The crux of the debate lies in interpreting the law’s requirement for a “single function of the trigger” and whether bump stocks satisfy this criterion. Advocates argue that bump stocks only enable continuous firing through manual action, distinct from automatic machine guns.

However, concerns were raised about the retroactive criminalization of bump stock ownership and its impact on individuals unaware of the regulation change. Justices emphasized the potential for mass convictions and loss of civil rights, underscoring the need for clarity in firearm regulations.

The Court’s decision, expected by summer, will have far-reaching consequences for gun control laws and individual rights. Whether bump stocks fall within the scope of machine gun regulations will shape future firearm policies and legal interpretations, reflecting the evolving landscape of gun control in the United States.

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Source: https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/02/supreme-court-split-over-bump-stock-ban/