Title: Texas Company Destroys 60,000 Bump Stocks as Supreme Court Reviews Federal Ban
Date: March 27, 2023
In a significant development to the ongoing debate surrounding gun control, a Texas-based retailer has voluntarily handed over 60,000 bump stocks to the federal government for destruction. This move comes amidst the Supreme Court’s decision to take on a legal challenge to the federal ban on bump stocks, which have been classified as devices that enable a semi-automatic rifle to fire more like a machine gun. The ban’s potential violation of the law enacted in 1986 pertaining to machine guns serves as the primary legal question in these cases.
The recent transfer of the bump stocks, which was confirmed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, highlights the controversial nature of the items, which have been subject to multiple legal challenges over the years. Bump stocks work by harnessing the recoil of a semi-automatic firearm to replicate automatic firing.
Gun rights advocates have voiced their opposition to the ban, arguing against the Trump administration’s interpretation of the 1986 law. Following the tragic mass shooting incident in Las Vegas in 2017, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives expanded the definition of machine guns to include bump stocks.
Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner and gun rights advocate from Austin, Texas, initiated a lawsuit against the government over the bump stock ban. In a notable victory for Cargill, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in his favor, prompting the Biden administration to file an appeal.
The Supreme Court is now set to address this contentious issue, marking the second time this term that the high court will tackle the national debate surrounding guns. The court’s decision to consider both the bump stock ban and a major Second Amendment challenge related to domestic violence restraining orders further underscores the significance of these cases.
While the ban on bump stocks has prompted passionate discussions among gun rights advocates and proponents of gun control, it is important to note that the legal question at hand revolves around the extent of the administration’s authority in implementing the ban, rather than a direct examination of the Second Amendment.
With both the bump stock ban and the domestic violence restraining order case already on the Supreme Court’s docket, it is clear that the nation’s highest court will play a crucial role in shaping the future of gun laws in the United States. As these cases unfold, the country will be closely watching the court’s decisions and the impact they may have on the ongoing debate over guns.