cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/12620309
Gun Owners Fire Back At Bump Stock Ban, SCOTUS To Decide: Rising Reacts [9:34 | Mar 1 2024 | The Hill]
Senior ligitation counsel at the New Civil Liberties Alliance Richard Samp weighs in on a new case on bump stocks.
Short Summary
- Three years ago, owning a bump stock, a rifle accessory facilitating rapid firing, became a federal felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
- The United States Supreme Court is considering the case of Garland versus Cargill, questioning the legality of bump stocks under federal statutes covering machine guns.
- The dispute revolves around the definition of a machine gun, with the ATF interpreting the law following a mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017.
- The case argues that Congress should make changes to gun policy rather than allowing retroactive rule-making by the ATF.
- The interpretation of the statute suggests that bump stocks do not convert a rifle into an automatic weapon but simply allow for more rapid firing of a semi-automatic weapon.
- The Supreme Court justices have expressed varied opinions on the matter, with some showing sympathy towards the government's position on banning dangerous weapons.
- The decision is expected to be split, with conservative and liberal justices having differing views on the issue.
- The speaker discusses the need for Congress to pass new legislation clarifying laws on machine guns and gun control, which has been a contentious issue.
- Despite the lack of bipartisan support, it is seen as relatively easy for Congress to address.
- The speaker mentions how Senator Dianne Feinstein criticized the Trump Administration's attempt to change ATF policy on bump stocks, highlighting the division on the issue and suggesting that a court ruling could prompt Congressional action rather than relying on executive branch decisions.