Supreme Court Overturns Trump-Era Ban on Bump Stocks in 6-3 Decision

Jun 15, 2024, 12:15 PM

In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on bump stocks, devices that enable semiautomatic weapons to fire rapidly like machine guns. The ban was originally implemented during the Trump administration following the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, which resulted in 60 deaths and over 400 injuries. The ruling found that the government exceeded its authority by classifying bump stocks as machine guns. Justice Samuel Alito suggested that Congress could amend the law to successfully ban bump stocks. The decision has sparked significant controversy, with gun rights advocates, including Michael Cargill from Austin, Texas, celebrating it as a victory for the Second Amendment. Opponents, including survivors of mass shootings and various lawmakers, criticized it as a step back in gun control efforts. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the majority opinion. The ruling has also prompted calls for Congress to enact new legislation to ban bump stocks.