American Supreme Court overturns federal bump stock ban
Date
6/23/2024 8:48:07 AM
(MENAFN) In a significant ruling on Friday, the United States Supreme Court overturned a federal regulation that banned bump stocks, devices attached to rifles allowing for faster trigger pulls. The decision rested on the court's interpretation that only congress holds the constitutional authority to extend the existing ban on machine guns to include bump stocks.
Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for the majority, clarified that a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock does not meet the legal definition of a "machine gun." The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) had prohibited bump stocks in 2018, arguing they effectively converted rifles into machine guns, which have been regulated since 1934 under federal law.
The case was brought forward by Michael Cargill, a Texas gun shop owner, challenging the ATF's authority in this matter. Six justices appointed by Republican presidents supported Cargill's argument, highlighting concerns about bureaucratic overreach and the need for legislative clarity from Congress.
Justice Samuel Alito, concurring with the decision, underscored that despite the tragic Las Vegas shooting in 2017, where bump stocks were used, the statutory text governing firearm regulations remains unchanged. He emphasized that any disparity in treatment between bump stocks and machine guns could only be rectified through legislative action by Congress.
However, dissenting justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson voiced strong objections. Justice Sotomayor, in her dissent, criticized the majority's technical interpretation of firearms and bump stocks, warning that the ruling could have severe and even lethal consequences. She argued that the functional similarity between bump stocks and machine guns warranted a stricter regulatory approach to prevent potential harm.
The Supreme Court's decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over gun control in the United States, affirming the principle that significant changes to firearm regulations must originate from Congress, rather than federal agencies like the ATF. This ruling is expected to influence future legislative efforts and judicial interpretations concerning firearms and related accessories in the country.
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