Which States Have Banned Bump Stocks?
In the aftermath of the Las Vegas shooting in 2017, which resulted in the deaths of 58 people and injured hundreds more, bump stocks became a topic of intense scrutiny. Bump stocks are devices that can be attached to semi-automatic firearms, allowing them to fire at a rate similar to fully automatic weapons. As a result, several states have taken steps to ban the use and possession of bump stocks.
Federal Ban
In December 2018, the Trump administration announced a ban on bump stocks, making them illegal to manufacture, sell, or possess. The ban was implemented through a rule change by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The new rule defined bump stocks as "machineguns" under federal law, making them subject to the same regulations as fully automatic weapons.
State-by-State Breakdown
While the federal government has banned bump stocks, individual states have also taken action to prohibit their use and possession. Here’s a breakdown of which states have banned bump stocks:
- Alabama: Alabama banned bump stocks in May 2018, with a law that went into effect on June 8, 2018.
- California: California banned bump stocks in June 2018, as part of a broader bill that also prohibited the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines.
- Colorado: Colorado banned bump stocks in May 2018, with a law that went into effect on July 1, 2018.
- Connecticut: Connecticut banned bump stocks in June 2018, as part of a bill that also prohibited the sale of certain firearms and ammunition.
- Delaware: Delaware banned bump stocks in June 2018, with a law that went into effect on July 1, 2018.
- Florida: Florida banned bump stocks in March 2018, with a law that went into effect on July 1, 2018.
- Hawaii: Hawaii banned bump stocks in July 2018, with a law that went into effect on August 8, 2018.
- Illinois: Illinois banned bump stocks in July 2018, with a law that went into effect on July 1, 2018.
- Maryland: Maryland banned bump stocks in May 2018, with a law that went into effect on October 1, 2018.
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts banned bump stocks in April 2018, with a law that went into effect on April 1, 2018.
- Michigan: Michigan banned bump stocks in May 2018, with a law that went into effect on July 1, 2018.
- Minnesota: Minnesota banned bump stocks in May 2018, with a law that went into effect on May 29, 2018.
- Nevada: Nevada banned bump stocks in June 2018, with a law that went into effect on October 1, 2018.
- New Jersey: New Jersey banned bump stocks in June 2018, with a law that went into effect on July 1, 2018.
- New York: New York banned bump stocks in March 2018, with a law that went into effect on April 1, 2018.
- Oregon: Oregon banned bump stocks in May 2018, with a law that went into effect on July 1, 2018.
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania banned bump stocks in May 2018, with a law that went into effect on July 1, 2018.
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island banned bump stocks in June 2018, with a law that went into effect on July 1, 2018.
- Texas: Texas banned bump stocks in June 2018, with a law that went into effect on September 1, 2018.
- Virginia: Virginia banned bump stocks in March 2018, with a law that went into effect on July 1, 2018.
- Washington: Washington banned bump stocks in May 2018, with a law that went into effect on July 1, 2018.
- Wisconsin: Wisconsin banned bump stocks in May 2018, with a law that went into effect on July 1, 2018.
Important Notes
- Possession Ban: While many states have banned the sale and manufacture of bump stocks, some states have also banned their possession. For example, California, Florida, and Maryland have all banned the possession of bump stocks, while other states have only banned their sale and manufacture.
- grandfathering: Some states have grandfathered in bump stocks that were legally owned prior to the ban, allowing owners to continue possessing and using them. However, this is not universal, and some states have not grandfathered in bump stocks.
- Fines and Penalties: Violating a state’s bump stock ban can result in fines and penalties, which vary by state. For example, California fines individuals up to $10,000 for possessing a bump stock, while Florida fines individuals up to $500.
Table: Bump Stock Bans by State
| State | Ban Effective Date | Possession Ban | Grandfathering | Fine/Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | June 8, 2018 | Up to $1,000 | ||
| California | June 2018 | Up to $10,000 | ||
| Colorado | July 1, 2018 | Up to $1,000 | ||
| Connecticut | July 1, 2018 | Up to $10,000 | ||
| Delaware | July 1, 2018 | Up to $2,000 | ||
| Florida | July 1, 2018 | Up to $500 | ||
| Hawaii | August 8, 2018 | Up to $10,000 | ||
| Illinois | July 1, 2018 | Up to $1,000 | ||
| Maryland | October 1, 2018 | Up to $10,000 | ||
| Massachusetts | April 1, 2018 | Up to $10,000 | ||
| Michigan | July 1, 2018 | Up to $2,000 | ||
| Minnesota | May 29, 2018 | Up to $1,000 | ||
| Nevada | October 1, 2018 | Up to $2,000 | ||
| New Jersey | July 1, 2018 | Up to $10,000 | ||
| New York | April 1, 2018 | Up to $10,000 | ||
| Oregon | July 1, 2018 | Up to $2,000 | ||
| Pennsylvania | July 1, 2018 | Up to $1,000 | ||
| Rhode Island | July 1, 2018 | Up to $2,000 | ||
| Texas | September 1, 2018 | Up to $1,000 | ||
| Virginia | July 1, 2018 | Up to $1,000 | ||
| Washington | July 1, 2018 | Up to $1,000 | ||
| Wisconsin | July 1, 2018 | Up to $1,000 |
In conclusion, while the federal government has banned bump stocks, individual states have also taken action to prohibit their use and possession. It’s essential for individuals to familiarize themselves with the laws in their state regarding bump stocks, as fines and penalties can vary significantly.
