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What was the supreme court vote on bump stocks?

What was the Supreme Court Vote on Bump Stocks?

In 2018, the United States Congress passed the Fix NICS Act, which expanded the definition of a "machine gun" under the National Firearms Act (NFA) to include bump stocks, a device that allows a semi-automatic rifle to fire at a rate similar to a fully automatic weapon. The law made it illegal to manufacture, sell, or possess bump stocks.

Background on Bump Stocks

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Bump stocks are a type of accessory that attaches to a semi-automatic rifle, allowing the user to fire the weapon at a rate of multiple rounds per second. They work by using the recoil energy of each shot to bump the trigger against the user’s finger, allowing for rapid firing. Bump stocks were first introduced in the early 2000s and gained popularity among gun enthusiasts and some law enforcement agencies.

The Lawsuit

In 2018, a group of bump stock owners and manufacturers sued the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) over the ban on bump stocks. The lawsuit claimed that the ban was unconstitutional and that the ATF had exceeded its authority in implementing the ban.

The Supreme Court’s Ruling

In December 2020, the Supreme Court issued a decision in the case, which was a 5-4 vote in favor of the government. The court ruled that the bump stock ban was constitutional and that the ATF had the authority to regulate bump stocks as machine guns under the NFA.

The Majority Opinion

The majority opinion was written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh and was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch. The opinion held that the bump stock ban was a reasonable exercise of the government’s authority to regulate firearms and that it did not violate the Second Amendment.

The Dissenting Opinion

The dissenting opinion was written by Justice Stephen Breyer and was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan. The dissent argued that the bump stock ban was unconstitutional and that it was an example of the government’s overreach in regulating firearms.

Key Points from the Supreme Court’s Ruling

Here are some key points from the Supreme Court’s ruling:

  • The court held that the bump stock ban was a reasonable exercise of the government’s authority to regulate firearms under the NFA.
  • The court found that the bump stock ban did not violate the Second Amendment, which protects the right to keep and bear arms.
  • The court ruled that the ATF had the authority to regulate bump stocks as machine guns under the NFA.
  • The court rejected the argument that the bump stock ban was unconstitutional because it was not explicitly authorized by Congress.

Table: Supreme Court Ruling on Bump Stocks

IssueMajority OpinionDissenting Opinion
Constitutionality of bump stock banReasonable exercise of government authorityUnconstitutional overreach
Authority of ATF to regulate bump stocksATF has authority under NFAATF lacks authority
Second Amendment implicationsBump stock ban does not violate Second AmendmentBump stock ban violates Second Amendment

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s ruling on bump stocks is a significant development in the ongoing debate over gun control in the United States. The court’s decision upholds the constitutionality of the bump stock ban and affirms the authority of the ATF to regulate bump stocks as machine guns under the NFA. The ruling is a win for gun control advocates and a setback for gun rights groups.

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