A Closer Look Into the Controversial Congress Bump Stock Debate

In a heated Senate debate, the GOP blocks a bump stock ban that would limit dangerous firearm usage. Following the decision, both parties have engaged in further heated debate regarding each other’s political motives. Republican leaders argue that the ban limits Second Amendment rights and that Democrats are simply trying to pass bills as political advertising. On the other hand, democrats staunchly claim that their bill is in response to the knockdown of a Trump-era ban on bump stocks. 

Trump-Era Regulation Knocked Down 

On Friday, June 14th, the Supreme Court ruled to knock down Trump-era regulations on bump stocks. Trump’s regulation occurred after the tragic Las Vegas mass shooting in 2017. The regulation deems semi-automatic rifles with bump stocks as equivalent in function to machine guns. Federal law prohibits machine guns, meaning bump stocks are also strictly banned.

During the mass shooting, a gunman equipped semi-automatic rifles with bump stocks. They allowed him to fire around 1000 rounds in 11 minutes. This devastation resulted in a total of 60 deaths and over 500 injuries. 

In response to the bump stock debate, numerous democrat politicians voiced their disappointment. They argue that this decision could very well allow more mass shooters to put our general population in danger. 

On the other hand, many Republicans stood by the decision. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote an opinion stating that nothing significant changes after equipping a semi-automatic rifle with a bump stock. According to him, “Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before re-engaging the trigger for another shot.”

Bump Stock Debate: The GOP Blocks The Ban

On Tuesday, Senators pushed for a voice vote on a new bump stock ban following the voiding of the Trump-era regulation. Senators Martin Heinrich (D.) and Susan Collins (R.) cosponsored the bill. Their bill would ban the sale of bump stocks, essentially restoring the regulation brought forth during the Trump Administration. 

In a statement regarding the bill, Heinrich said, “I refuse to stand idly by and wait for the next mass shooting.” He later added, “Bump stocks serve no legitimate purpose.”

Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts immediately objected, thus blocking an immediate vote on the bill. He and other Republicans disregarded the bill as a “gun-grabbing overreach.” He went on to argue that future bills like this would not pass, as he and other Republicans firmly believe and support full Second Amendment rights. 

Response to the Bump Stock Debate 

After the heated debate and GOP block of a bump stock ban, Republicans and Democrats have made passionate statements. Democrats believe the bill was necessary for protecting the general public from further gun violence. They argue that bump stocks are unnecessary for the use of firearms. Bump stocks make functioning weapons more deadly in gun violence events. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor even took to the bench to read the minority’s dissent. 

Republicans have had a more split response to the GOP block of a bump stock ban. Many Republicans initially supported the ban when the Trump Administration enacted it. With recent developments, many of those same Republicans have flipped their stance. They argue that the bill was simply a stunt by the Democrats to garner support in the upcoming election. Some even argue that these issues should fall on a state level rather than being brought up to the Federal stage.

Other Republicans firmly support Trump’s original bill, adding to the debate’s confusion as different stances emerge on the issue.

The Future of Gun Legislation

In the wake of the GOP block of a bump stock ban, many have been wondering about the future of gun legislation. With a fully split Congress, this is unlikely to change in the coming years. Regardless, President Biden called on Congress to support the ban after the knockdown of the Trump Bill, though it was unsuccessful. 

The last time Congress passed gun control bills was following two mass shootings that occurred in 2022. The shootings took place at an elementary school and a primarily black neighborhood. Their juxtaposition and relatively similar timing shook the nation and spurred action for gun control. 

With that said, not much action has occurred since in the form of gun control. According to many politicians, it will likely take another major tragic event to wake up the masses and Congress to the reality of our gun safety issues.

On their own, guns are extremely dangerous tools that can be deadly without much effort. Regardless of what they believe, both Republicans and Democrats agree that it is essential to investigate these issues with care and caution.