10-05-2017, 06:49 PM
(10-05-2017, 04:51 PM)Jimbone Wrote: On a serious note, the NRA today is asking the ATF to re-examine their decision on 'bump stocks'.
"In the aftermath of the evil and senseless attack in Las Vegas, the American people are looking for answers as to how future tragedies can be prevented. Unfortunately, the first response from some politicians has been to call for more gun control. Banning guns from law-abiding Americans based on the criminal act of a madman will do nothing to prevent future attacks. This is a fact that has been proven time and again in countries across the world. In Las Vegas, reports indicate that certain devices were used to modify the firearms involved. Despite the fact that the Obama administration approved the sale of bump fire stocks on at least two occasions, the National Rifle Association is calling on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) to immediately review whether these devices comply with federal law. The NRA believes that devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations. In an increasingly dangerous world, the NRA remains focused on our mission: strengthening Americans' Second Amendment freedom to defend themselves, their families and their communities. To that end, on behalf of our five million members across the country, we urge Congress to pass National Right-to-Carry reciprocity, which will allow law-abiding Americans to defend themselves and their families from acts of violence."
https://home.nra.org/joint-statement/
The ATF should definitely reconsider their classification and ban bump stocks.
For one, they made the idiot ruling not to ban them initially based on a purely technical definition/description of the item as a stand-alone, even though the item is non-functional as a stand-alone. That makes even less sense to me than proposed bans on certain firearms based only on cosmetics instead of functionality.
Secondly, the ATF can make the change without the politics and delays associated with gun-related legislation. That's the best way to get it done most quickly and efficiently.
But........if the ATF refuses and a ban bill goes to Congress, this could be such an easy fucking 'gimme' for the conservatives in Congress and the President. Bump stocks shouldn't have been legal in the first place and there's no Second Amendment protection attached to them. Plus, as I understand it, there are very few gun enthusiasts (except the would-be mass murderers) who give a shit about bump stocks.
I don't think it would cost conservative republican politicians but a very few votes to come out strongly united in favor of banning bump stocks, and Trump could benefit from backing them up. They'd likely gain way more than they'd lose from the resulting PR campaign, especially since they don't need to fear the NRA on this one.
"See Americans, as we head into the 2018 mid-term elections, we Republicans ARE united. And, we Republicans CAN compromise all bi-partisan like for the safety of American citizens..." I can imagine the PR campaign...but hope the ATF just steps up and makes all that unnecessary.