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Introduction: The Supreme Court’s Decision on Bump Stocks

In a pivotal ruling, the Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration’s 2018 ban on bump stocks, a controversial gun attachment that can increase the firing rate of semi-automatic rifles. This decision, rendered by a 6-3 vote, rejected the federal government’s classification of bump stocks as machine guns under existing federal law. Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for the majority, emphasized that while Congress could have explicitly banned all rapid-fire weapons, it did not, and thus, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) overstepped its regulatory authority.

Background: The Origins of the Bump Stock Ban

The bump stock ban was implemented following the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, where the perpetrator used bump stock-equipped rifles to kill 60 people and injure over 500. The ban represented a significant policy shift for the ATF, which had previously held that only certain types of bump stocks were considered machine guns. Under the new rule, all bump stock owners were required to either destroy their devices or surrender them to the ATF to avoid criminal penalties.

The Legal Challenge and Lower Court Rulings

Michael Cargill, a U.S. Army veteran and gun store owner from Austin, Texas, challenged the rule after surrendering his bump stocks. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit sided with Cargill, striking down the ban. The Biden administration then brought the case to the Supreme Court, which ultimately upheld the 5th Circuit’s decision.

Justice Thomas’s Majority Opinion: Interpretations of Federal Law

Justice Clarence Thomas’s 19-page opinion meticulously deconstructed the federal law defining machine guns, which describes them as weapons that can fire more than one shot automatically with a single trigger function. Thomas argued that semi-automatic rifles equipped with bump stocks do not meet this definition. He clarified that each shot requires a separate trigger function, as the shooter must release and re-engage the trigger, despite the bump stock reducing the time between shots.

Furthermore, Thomas contended that even if such rifles could fire multiple shots with a single trigger pull, they do not do so “automatically” since the shooter must actively maintain forward pressure on the rifle’s front grip. This requirement for continuous user input differentiates bump stocks from fully automatic weapons, which fire continuously with a single trigger pull.

Concurring Opinions: Emphasizing Statutory Text

Justice Samuel Alito wrote a concurring opinion, supporting Thomas’s textual interpretation of the machine gun ban. Alito acknowledged that Congress likely saw no significant difference between machine guns and bump stock-equipped rifles. However, he stressed that the statutory text is clear, and any remedy for this regulatory gap lies with Congress, which can amend the law as necessary.

Dissenting Opinion: A Different Interpretation and Broader Implications

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented. Sotomayor argued that the majority misinterpreted the statute, pointing out that bump stocks enable a shooter to fire multiple rounds with minimal additional effort, akin to the function of a machine gun. She emphasized the broader legislative intent to restrict access to rapid-fire weapons, warning that the decision could have deadly consequences by making it easier for gun users and manufacturers to bypass federal restrictions.

Sotomayor also criticized the majority for disregarding the ordinary meaning of the statute at both the time of its enactment and today, thereby undermining Congress’s efforts to regulate machine guns effectively.

Future Implications: Potential Congressional Action and Related Cases

The Supreme Court’s ruling leaves the door open for Congress to amend federal law to explicitly include bump stocks under the definition of machine guns. Justice Alito hinted that had the ATF maintained its original interpretation, Congress might have already taken action to address this regulatory discrepancy.

This case is one of several significant gun-related cases before the Supreme Court. In United States v. Rahimi, the justices are reviewing the constitutionality of a federal law that prohibits individuals subject to domestic-violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. Additionally, the Court has agreed to hear a challenge to the Biden administration’s regulations on “ghost guns,” which are untraceable firearms assembled from kits. This case will be argued in the next term, with a decision expected in 2025.

Conclusion: A Landmark Decision with Far-Reaching Consequences

The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the bump stock ban is a significant victory for gun rights advocates and has profound implications for federal firearm regulations. By strictly interpreting the statutory language of the machine gun ban, the Court has set a precedent that limits the regulatory authority of the ATF and potentially paves the way for more lenient interpretations of federal gun laws. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, stakeholders on all sides of the gun control debate will be closely monitoring the actions of both the judiciary and Congress.

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Source: https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/06/supreme-court-strikes-down-bump-stock-ban/