Biden Urges Congress to Ban Bump Stocks in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

President Joe Biden has called on Congress to ban bump stocks, following the Supreme Court's decision that federal regulations prohibiting the device were unlawful. In a statement released on June 14, 2024, Biden expressed his disappointment with the Court's ruling, arguing that bump stocks are 'designed to make firearms more deadly' and have been used in mass shootings. He reiterated his support for a ban on bump stocks and urged Congress to take action. The Supreme Court's decision, which was issued on June 13, centered on a lawsuit filed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and other gun rights groups challenging a 2018 Trump administration rule that classified bump stocks as machine guns. The Court's majority opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, found that the rule was 'unlawful' because it lacked a clear legislative basis. The ruling has sparked debate about the scope of the Second Amendment and the ability of Congress to regulate firearms. Some argue that the decision will make it more difficult to enact gun control measures, while others contend that it merely clarifies the legal definition of machine guns. The Biden administration has maintained that bump stocks are a dangerous weapon that should be banned, and the president's call for congressional action suggests that this issue will continue to be a contentious one in the ongoing debate over gun control.

Summary

"The Supreme Court's ruling on bump stocks has reignited the debate over gun control and the interpretation of the Second Amendment. President Biden's call for Congress to ban bump stocks highlights the ongoing tension between gun rights advocates and those seeking to regulate firearms in the wake of mass shootings. The decision's impact on future gun control legislation remains to be seen."