US Supreme Court throws out ban on bump stocks for guns - BBC.com

The US Supreme Court has struck down a ban on bump stocks, devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire more rapidly. The court ruled in a 6-3 vote that the ban violated the Second Amendment right to bear arms. The ban was imposed by the Trump administration in 2017, following the Las Vegas shooting where a gunman used a bump stock to fire hundreds of rounds in a matter of minutes. The Supreme Court's decision means that the sale and possession of bump stocks are now legal again. The court's majority opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, argued that the ban was unconstitutional because bump stocks are not “readily available” to law-abiding citizens. The court also found that the ban was not sufficiently narrowly tailored to address the government's interest in public safety. The decision was met with criticism from gun control advocates, who argued that it will make it easier for mass shootings to occur. The Biden administration said it was “deeply disappointed” with the ruling. Gun rights groups welcomed the decision, arguing that it affirmed the Second Amendment right to bear arms. The ruling is the latest in a series of Supreme Court decisions that have strengthened gun rights in the United States. In 2022, the court struck down a New York law that restricted the carrying of concealed handguns.

Summary

"The Supreme Court's decision to overturn the ban on bump stocks is a significant victory for gun rights advocates. The decision is likely to be met with criticism from gun control advocates who argue that it will make it easier for mass shootings to occur. The ruling is the latest in a series of Supreme Court decisions that have strengthened gun rights in the United States."

Updated at: 06.15.2024

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US Supreme Court throws out ban on bump stocks for guns - BBC.com