OpsLens

Even the NRA Won’t Allow Bump Stocks On Their Ranges

The NRA won’t allow guns equipped with bump stocks at its ranges, and has called for such accessories to be regulated.

The National Rifle Association is perhaps the leading voice when it comes to pro-gun rights. The NRA has been instrumental in shaping America’s gun policies, and holds huge sway in Washington D.C. Generally, the NRA pushes for lax gun restrictions. However, the NRA won’t allow guns equipped with bump stocks at its firing range. Now, the NRA is also calling for the regulation of bump stocks. This marks one of the few times the NRA has supported any regulations on guns.

I support gun rights but don’t believe that guns should be treated as toys or novelty items

The NRA has been quick to stand up for gun rights in the past. The organization has been vocal even in the immediate aftermath of mass shootings. However, the NRA has stated:

“The NRA believes that devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations.”

A lot of people had never heard of bump stocks, not until a mass murderer used several guns equipped with these stocks to gun down 58 people and injured over 500 more. Twelve of the perp’s guns were equipped with bump stocks. (I’m not going to name the perpetrator because I refuse to shine a spotlight on him.)

For the first time in years, Congress might actually push through major gun regulations. Of course, given how unproductive this Congress has been, we can’t take that for granted

Bump stocks make it possible to turn semi-automatic rifles into de facto automatic guns. Bump stocks replace the normal stock found on guns. Then, they harness the kickback of the gun to essentially pull the trigger. A gun equipped with a bump stock will slide back and forth, with the trigger colliding with the finger. Rifles equipped with bump stocks can fire roughly 90 shots in ten seconds.

Meanwhile, many Republicans in Congress have also hinted that they’d be willing to consider a ban on bump stocks. For the first time in years, Congress might actually push through major gun regulations. Of course, given how unproductive this Congress has been, we can’t take that for granted.

Automatic weapons manufactured after 1986 are not permitted for sale to every-day citizens. However, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has ruled that bump stocks are not subject to regulation. The fact that bump stocks allow semi-automatic weapons to perform similarly to automatic weapons doesn’t matter. According to the ATF:

“The [bump] stock has no automatically functioning mechanical parts or springs and performs no automatic mechanical function when installed. Accordingly, we find that the ‘bump-stock’ is a firearm part and is not regulated as a firearm under Gun Control Act or the National Firearms Act.”

Many gun experts argue that bump stocks are unnecessary and not fit for self-defense or other legitimate uses. Bump stocks make guns wildly inaccurate and hard to control. They also consume ammo at a rapid pace and could increase the risk of bystanders being hit. Some experts have referred to gun stocks as “novelty” items and derided their use in any tactical situation.

Some experts have referred to gun stocks as “novelty” items and derided their use in any tactical situation

Given that bump stocks seem to offer few if any, tactical advantages outside of inflicting indiscriminate mass damage on crowds, I’d support banning them. I support gun rights but don’t believe that guns should be treated as toys or novelty items. Guns should be used for hunting, sport, self-defense, and other legitimate and necessary reasons.

The only use I can think of for such weapons is attacking crowds. As for carrying out mass murders, attacks on crowds certainly are an effective method. The recent Las Vegas attack proves that.