More Information on Bump Stocks
As you recall, President Trump directed the Department of Justice and BATFE to reverse an earlier decision made by the agency on the definition of machine gun.
Machine guns have long been defined as allowing the shooter to discharge more than one bullet per trigger pull. Full-auto machine guns must be registered in advance of ownership as per National Firearms Act of 1934.
The change goes beyond National Firearms Act restrictions and gun owners will not have the option of purchasing a registered bump stock.
In addition, current purchasers and owners of these once approved devices are being required to destroy them or turn them in. The fine is large and per-item.
Please read the article below offered by our friends at US and Texas Law Shield.
There are still many unanswered questions.
The Federal Bump Stock Ban Explained
Posted on December 25, 2018
by U.S. & Texas LawShield Staff
Florida and New Jersey Members: Bump stocks are already illegal under state law. For more information, please call U.S. LawShield and ask to speak to your Independent Program Attorney.
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker has just signed a national ban on bump stocks, expected to go into effect on March 21, 2019. This prohibition is unlike any previous gun ban we've seen, in that it was neither passed by Congress, nor signed by the President. Instead, an administrative agency simply changed one of their definitions in order to institute the ban.
Bump stocks will now fall into the definition of machinegun, found in 27 C.F.R. Parts 477, 478, and 479.
Previously, this term was defined as: "[A] firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger." The term also includes any part of a machinegun or anything that may convert a weapon into a machinegun.
Specifically, with regard to bump stocks, the new rule adds: "The term 'machinegun' includes a bump-stock-type device, i.e., a device that allows a semiautomatic firearm to shoot more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger by harnessing the recoil energy of the semiautomatic firearm to which it is affixed, so that the trigger resets and continues firing without additional physical manipulation of the trigger by the shooter."
This new definition has the effect of criminalizing the possession of all bump stocks.
The new rule has no provision to grandfather in and register the bump stocks that many citizens already own.
Without exception, before March 21, 2019, if you own a bump stock, you must either surrender it to the ATF or destroy it.
You will not be compensated for the money you spent when you legally bought this item. Failure to comply with this new rule is a federal felony, punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine for each bump stock in your possession.
There have already been many legal challenges filed and there will be many more to come before March 21. Most ask that the courts block this rule from going into effect so that the issue can be fully litigated before any American has to destroy their property without compensation.
Does this open the door for future regulation and re-classification of guns, ammo, and accessories?
What do you think?
If you have any questions about bump stocks or the regulatory process, call U.S. Law Shield and ask to speak to your Independent Program Attorney today.
Thank you, Law Shield!
Members, keep in mind TSRA is the state affiliate of NRA and committed to stopping what has already passed in Florida and New Jersey.
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