Are Bump Stocks Illegal in 2024?
The use of bump stocks, a device that allows a semi-automatic rifle to fire at a faster rate, has been a topic of controversy in the United States. In 2018, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) banned the use of bump stocks, and many states have followed suit. But are bump stocks illegal in 2024?
What are Bump Stocks?
Before we dive into the legality of bump stocks, it’s essential to understand what they are. A bump stock is a device that attaches to a semi-automatic rifle, allowing the user to fire the weapon at a faster rate by using the recoil of the weapon to cycle the trigger. This device is designed to mimic the rate of fire of a fully automatic weapon, but it does not actually make the weapon fully automatic.
Federal Law
In 2018, the FBI banned the use of bump stocks, citing concerns over their potential use in mass shootings. The FBI’s decision was based on a legal analysis that determined that bump stocks were not legal under federal law. The FBI’s ban was implemented through a regulation that prohibited the possession, sale, and manufacture of bump stocks.
State Laws
While the FBI has banned the use of bump stocks, many states have also implemented their own laws regulating the use of these devices. Some states have banned the use of bump stocks entirely, while others have imposed restrictions on their use. Here is a breakdown of the current state of the law in each state:
| State | Law | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Alaska | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Arizona | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Arkansas | Prohibited | 2018 |
| California | Prohibited | 2016 |
| Colorado | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Connecticut | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Delaware | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Florida | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Georgia | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Hawaii | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Idaho | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Illinois | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Indiana | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Iowa | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Kansas | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Kentucky | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Louisiana | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Maine | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Maryland | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Massachusetts | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Michigan | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Minnesota | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Mississippi | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Missouri | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Montana | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Nebraska | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Nevada | Prohibited | 2018 |
| New Hampshire | Prohibited | 2018 |
| New Jersey | Prohibited | 2018 |
| New Mexico | Prohibited | 2018 |
| New York | Prohibited | 2018 |
| North Carolina | Prohibited | 2018 |
| North Dakota | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Ohio | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Oklahoma | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Oregon | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Pennsylvania | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Rhode Island | Prohibited | 2018 |
| South Carolina | Prohibited | 2018 |
| South Dakota | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Tennessee | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Texas | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Utah | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Vermont | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Virginia | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Washington | Prohibited | 2018 |
| West Virginia | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Wisconsin | Prohibited | 2018 |
| Wyoming | Prohibited | 2018 |
Penalties for Violating Bump Stock Laws
In addition to the legal consequences of violating bump stock laws, there are also significant penalties for those who violate these laws. Here are some examples of the penalties that can be imposed:
| State | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Up to 10 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Alaska | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Arizona | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Arkansas | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| California | Up to 10 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Colorado | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Connecticut | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Delaware | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Florida | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Georgia | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Hawaii | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Idaho | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Illinois | Up to 10 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Indiana | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Iowa | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Kansas | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Kentucky | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Louisiana | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Maine | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Maryland | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Massachusetts | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Michigan | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Minnesota | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Mississippi | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Missouri | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Montana | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Nebraska | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Nevada | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| New Hampshire | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| New Jersey | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| New Mexico | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| New York | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| North Carolina | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| North Dakota | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Ohio | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Oklahoma | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Oregon | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Pennsylvania | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Rhode Island | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| South Carolina | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| South Dakota | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Tennessee | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Texas | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Utah | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Vermont | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Virginia | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Washington | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| West Virginia | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Wisconsin | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
| Wyoming | Up to 5 years in prison, fine of up to $10,000 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, bump stocks are illegal in 2024. The FBI banned the use of bump stocks in 2018, and many states have followed suit. While some states have not banned the use of bump stocks, many have imposed restrictions on their use. Violating bump stock laws can result in significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment. It is essential for individuals to familiarize themselves with the laws in their state and to comply with these laws to avoid legal consequences.
