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Friday, June 14, 2024

JUSTICE THOMAS delivered the opinion of the Court. Congress has long restricted access to "machinegun[s],'" a category of firearms defined by the ability to "shoot, automatically more than one shot . . . by a single function of the trigger." 26 U. S. C. 5845(b); see also 18 U. S. C. 922(o). Semiautomatic firearms, which require shooters to reengage the trigger for every shot, are not machineguns. This case asks whether a bump stock"an accessory for a semiautomatic rifle that allows the shooter to rapidly reengage the trigger (and therefore achieve a high rate of fire)"converts the rifle into a "machinegun." We hold that it does not and therefore affirm.

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JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR, with whom JUSTICE KAGAN and JUSTICE JACKSON join, dissenting. On October 1, 2017, a shooter opened fire from a hotel room overlooking an outdoor concert in Las Vegas, Nevada, in what would become the deadliest mass shooting in U. S. history. Within a matter of minutes, using several hundred rounds of ammunition, the shooter killed 58 people and wounded over 500. He did so by affixing bump stocks to commonly available, semiautomatic rifles. These simple devices harness a rifle's recoil energy to slide the rifle back and forth and repeatedly "bump" the shooter's stationary trigger finger, creating rapid fire. All the shooter had to do was pull the trigger and press the gun forward. The bump stock did the rest.

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Read it here: www.supremecourt.gov

#1 | Posted by YAV at 2024-06-14 10:15 AM | Reply

Obviously not enough children were being murdered fast enough by these tactical military weapons sans any bumpstocks.

We can do better, people.

#2 | Posted by Corky at 2024-06-14 10:21 AM | Reply | Funny: 1 | Newsworthy 2

It was unconstitutional when Trump did it first. That hasn't changed. The executive cannot arbitrarily redefine firearm classifications and it's terrible any justices at all would agree that's legal. Every change to the definition has already required Congressional action.

#3 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-06-14 10:34 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Listen to the gunfire in these videos from the Las Vegas shooting. Automatic fire"a continuous spray of bullets enabled by a bumpstock. 60 people slaughtered in 10 minutes from 490 yards away. This is what the Supreme Court just legalized.

www.youtube.com

#4 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2024-06-14 10:47 AM | Reply | Funny: 1 | Newsworthy 6

So we're held to a 1930 understanding of intent in the creation of a class of firearm based solely on physical characteristics of one aspect of a system, and not the result of the entire system?

"Oh, it's not the gun, it's not the bumnpstock, it's the person using their body with the bumpstock in just the right way to create a system that results in the same output as a machine gun! Well then, that's perfectly legal!"

#5 | Posted by YAV at 2024-06-14 11:01 AM | Reply | Funny: 2 | Newsworthy 2

BTW - a machine gun you pull the trigger once. You get LOTS of fast output. Same if you use a bumpstock.

#6 | Posted by YAV at 2024-06-14 11:10 AM | Reply | Funny: 2 | Newsworthy 1

how much did this particular ruling cost Thomases owners.

#7 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2024-06-14 11:14 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 6

There is a straight forward, easy to understand bill sitting in US House that Republicans have refused to take action on since it was introduced on Jan 17, 2023 that would amend the current law that regulates full auto weapons to include bump stocks. The bill is cosponsored by 135 Dems and 1 GOP member

www.congress.gov

I can only conclude that Republicans believe that the public should have access to this technology.

#8 | Posted by johnny_hotsauce at 2024-06-14 11:19 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 4

The 2nd Amendment has mutated into absoulte anit-human bull$#!+

#9 | Posted by hamburglar at 2024-06-14 11:21 AM | Reply | Funny: 1 | Newsworthy 2

I think it's reasonable to ask which Justices were paid off for this decision. Thomas is a no-brainer. He likes his vacations.

#10 | Posted by Zed at 2024-06-14 11:27 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

Both Robert Bork (so far right even some Rs would not confirm him to the Court) and Stephen Breyer have said that there is no question that when it was written the 2nd applied to what today we call the National Guard. Another case of Rs legislating from the bench.

#11 | Posted by SomebodyElse at 2024-06-14 11:30 AM | Reply | Funny: 1 | Newsworthy 1

Talk about an activist Supreme Court.

Conservatives are rewriting the laws of this country from the judicial branch.

Especially considering conservatives have destroyed the legislative branch.

#12 | Posted by ClownShack at 2024-06-14 11:40 AM | Reply | Funny: 1 | Newsworthy 3

Deer hunters need this capability?

Seriously? So it's specifically for killing more humans.

There is no other reason for it.

But it's "technically" not an automatic machine gun!

Even though with it you can shoot nearly as fast as one.

Good job. This decision means more dead Americans.

Thanks for more death and destruction in America.

The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

Where Nothing can be done.

#13 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-06-14 12:43 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

These sold out crooks don't believe the Founders ever considered bumpstcks when thev wrote the 2nd Amendment and there is no valid argument to declare that law unconstitutional. This decision is just a gift to the psychotic MAGA crowd. There is no legitimate use for a bumpstocm. It has only one purpose , i.e. to kill more prople faster!
We will have more shootings like Las cVegas where bump stocks allowed that psycho to increde the feath toll when it happens again those members of the court who voted to ghrow out. The law will own those deaths! I don't want them whining when the public outrage grows, there was no reasonable e cuse for enabling mass murderers to kill more people.

#14 | Posted by danni at 2024-06-14 12:45 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Glad SCOTUS over ruled that authoritarian Trump.

He had no right, not even sure why Biden didn't overturn this too.

Biden undid most everything Trump did.

#15 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-06-14 12:54 PM | Reply

The court has thrown out 200 years of precedence on gun control because of money and influence of the NRA and gun industry. These poor decisions need to be undone.

#16 | Posted by GalaxiePete at 2024-06-14 12:56 PM | Reply

Unbelievable. They actually got one right.

The law is VERY explicit on what constitutes a machinegun. A bump stock is NOT a machinegun. The ATF, without question, exceeded their authority under the law by attempting to ban them.

As obvious as this case was, I'm disappointed that it wasn't a 9-0 ruling.

If congress wants bump stocks banned, they need to do that. Under no circumstances should executive branch agencies be able to create crimes out of thin air.

That's NOT an endorsement of bump stocks. I don't own one, I don't want one, and they're honestly pretty stupid. But allowing the executive branch to create crimes is INCREDIBLY dangerous.

#17 | Posted by DarkVader at 2024-06-14 12:57 PM | Reply

Easily avoidable tragedies are HILARIOUS.

As that great philosopher known by his single nom de plume, Dubya, once said 'Bring it on!'

#18 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-06-14 01:09 PM | Reply

The Left Complains about Hunter being found guilty for illegally obtaining a gun, then complains bumpstocks are legal again. The flip-flopping here is giving some folks whiplash.

#19 | Posted by Bluewaffles at 2024-06-14 01:52 PM | Reply

trump is the only president to go after your guns.

Not Obama. Not Biden. Youve been had, again.

#20 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2024-06-14 01:56 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

You continue to illustrate a lack of basic comprehension of what's been said.

#21 | Posted by YAV at 2024-06-14 01:59 PM | Reply

The Left Complains about Hunter being found guilty for illegally obtaining a gun, then complains bumpstocks are legal again. The flip-flopping here is giving some folks whiplash.

#19 | POSTED BY BLUEWAFFLES

This doesn't even make sense.

#22 | Posted by Zed at 2024-06-14 01:59 PM | Reply

#21 for #19.

#23 | Posted by YAV at 2024-06-14 01:59 PM | Reply

Oh I fully understand what is being said, and I'm telling you that watching the hypocrisy from you guys is hilarious.

#24 | Posted by Bluewaffles at 2024-06-14 02:04 PM | Reply

Hi back to your padded room Zed, your fruit cup will be available at 4:00PM

#25 | Posted by Bluewaffles at 2024-06-14 02:05 PM | Reply

Go*

#26 | Posted by Bluewaffles at 2024-06-14 02:05 PM | Reply

what hypocrisy? the left isn't obsessed with hunter biden. you idiots are.

#27 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2024-06-14 02:13 PM | Reply

Apparently Harlan Crow wasn't a fan of bump stocks.

#28 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2024-06-14 02:14 PM | Reply

Bluewaffles apparently has a raging 3" ----- for bumpstocks...

3 posts in what 2 minutes? Teenage girly girl much Mr. 13 year old
Valley Girl on his cellphone?

Hey! Have a great weekend Waffles!

#29 | Posted by earthmuse at 2024-06-14 02:15 PM | Reply

How much were Alito and Thomas paid for this?

#30 | Posted by Nixon at 2024-06-14 02:20 PM | Reply

#25 | POSTED BY BLUEWAFFLES

There are times when you are vacant intellectually.

Not the first time you've been told this.

#31 | Posted by Zed at 2024-06-14 02:23 PM | Reply

#30
A wink, a nod across the room, and the relationship continues. I don't know how it may have been worked out with other members of the judiciary, but Thomas is glaringly compromised and dumpster dirty.

#32 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2024-06-14 02:33 PM | Reply

BTW - a machine gun you pull the trigger once. You get LOTS of fast output. Same if you use a bumpstock.

#6 | POSTED BY YAV AT 2024-06-14 11:10 AM | FLAG:

Physically incorrect. This is why it fails. With a bumpstock you get 1 bullet per trigger pull. It does not in any way modify the fire control group to fire more than 1 bullet per trigger pull. The bumpstock effect can be done without a bumpstock.

#33 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-06-14 02:55 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"The bumpstock effect can be done without a bumpstock."

With a MAC 10 you duct tape three pennies behind the trigger.

#34 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-06-14 02:57 PM | Reply

People keep wanting electric guns because they think it'll be safer. Ignorance. They don't know what you can do with trigger debounce code that's still legally semi-auto.

#35 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-06-14 03:24 PM | Reply

Has -----' new RV been delivered yet?

#36 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2024-06-14 04:10 PM | Reply

Physically incorrect. This is why it fails. With a bumpstock you get 1 bullet per trigger pull. It does not in any way modify the fire control group to fire more than 1 bullet per trigger pull. The bumpstock effect can be done without a bumpstock.

Oh cut the -------- arleady. You pull the trigger once. Your finger doesn't move. The rifle moves because of the bumpstock. The result is that you get a rapid trigger action without YOU doing a damn thing. Do you want me to go into the physics in mass, acceleraration, etc. that determine the rate of discharge?

#37 | Posted by YAV at 2024-06-14 04:11 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

www.youtube.com
4:43 in. Slow motion. You can see clearly exactly how it works.

#38 | Posted by YAV at 2024-06-14 04:18 PM | Reply

The cancervatives on the SC are big fans of Stephen Paddock.

theintercept.com

#39 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2024-06-14 04:47 PM | Reply

#37 | POSTED BY YAV AT 2024-06-14 04:11 PM | FLAG:

All you are showing is that the trigger is being pulled each time. That's the definition of semi-automatic. Congress has the change the definition and are the only people that can do it.

#40 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-06-14 05:49 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

How much were Alito and Thomas paid for this?

#30 | POSTED BY NIXON AT 2024-06-14 02:20 PM | FLAG: They ruled by the US Constitution pShall Not Be Infringed] which is what is required of the SCOTUS, though dems want activist judges who will rule on what they want even if unconstitutional.

#41 | Posted by MSgt at 2024-06-14 05:51 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

"All you are showing is that the trigger is being pulled each time. "

The trigger isn't being pulled by the person. it's crystal clear what's going on. It is the gun that is bouncing back and forth in a sleeve (the bumpstock) and the finger is rigidly fixed in place on the bumpstock. If you ever get a chance to fire a bumpstock you'll understand exactly what I'm saying and what you are seeing in the vid I posted.

#42 | Posted by YAV at 2024-06-14 07:12 PM | Reply

#42

The finger is irrelevant to the law.

26 U.S.C. 5845 (b) Machinegun

The term "machinegun" means any weapon 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.


With a bump stock, the trigger moves with each shot fired. The ATF attempted to change the law. They can't do that.

#43 | Posted by DarkVader at 2024-06-14 08:06 PM | Reply

Nothing excites a cancervative more than classroom full of 1st graders who've been shot to pieces.

#44 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2024-06-15 08:48 AM | Reply

people have guns...and religion...and opinions on abortion and are adamant about all of them, among other things.
and it seems impossible to implement any meaningful/productive re-alignment of viewpoints
as far as guns go, i think if the gun leaves your private property, then you'd need specific insurance or face confiscation of the gun, fines and mandatory public service/jail time for a public endangerment charge.
it's a 2nd amendment issue so the insurance should be handled by the feds.
go get your deer tag...bring your rifles serial # and purchase insurance for the period of the tag and it applies to that gun only.
conceal/carry...just like having car insurance

#45 | Posted by brerrabbit at 2024-06-15 09:33 AM | Reply

Bluoron vomplaons yhat "rhe left" complains anout Hunter Biden'd convictipn"'but, as isual, that idiot os listening to the booces in his head. No one on the left hives a g**k about that idiot's conviction except for the fact that he made the hardest job in the wprld even hardet with his selfish irresponsible behavior! Smoking crack??? Give him 10 years, I don't give a d**t! I care about the butden his father copes with.
When exactly are the MAGAmorons expected to grow the f**k up? This isn't a video game but I honestly believe most of them see the world as if it is!

#46 | Posted by danni at 2024-06-15 10:18 AM | Reply

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