Gun Owners Question How Trump Can Enforce Ban Of Half Million Bump Stocks
BY Herschel Smith
6 years, 8 months ago
Months before President Donald Trump announced that he would ban bump stocks in the wake of the deadly Las Vegas mass shooting, Doug Alexander spent $300 on the accessory to show off at the gun range.
“I’ll be real honest with you, the bump stock, I bought it as a toy because it looked cool,” the Abilene resident and Air Force veteran said of the gun device that allows a semi-automatic rifle to fire at nearly automatic rates.
Although Alexander purchased the device legally more than a year ago, he’s now among tens of thousands of bump stock owners whose expensive accessories face an uncertain fate under a proposed federal ban of the devices.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives estimated that more than half a million people own bump stocks in a report released March 29 for the agency’s proposed bump stock ban. The report also found that 2,281 retailers and two bump stock manufacturers would be impacted by a ban. The proposal is expected to cost the industry, public and the government more than $200 million in a 10-year time span.
Alexander, a 61-year-old Dallas native, purchased his bump stock from Slide Fire, the country’s leading bump stock manufacturer based in the tiny Texas town of Moran, 40 miles east of Abilene.
“I thought it was cool that they were producing this, and I kind of figured I was helping the local economy, too,” he said.
ATF posted the proposed ban at the end of March, which requires a 90-day public comment period. The change would revise the agency’s definition of a machine gun to include “bump-stock-type devices,” despite a 2010 decision that determined bump stocks can’t be classified as a machine gun.
Under pressure after mass shootings around the country, Trump ordered the Justice Department and ATF to ban the devices. Bump stocks were found in the Las Vegas shooter’s hotel room, but they were not used in the Florida high school rampage in February or the massacre at the Sutherland Springs, Texas, church in November.
“Bump stocks are going to be gone,” Trump vowed last month.
Since ATF posted the proposal, more than 14,000 people have commented ahead of a June 27 deadline. Many online commenters voiced their opposition to the ban, arguing that the agency does not have the authority to ban the device. During an initial 30-day comment period, the agency received more than 100,000 comments on its draft of the bump stock ban. An analysis by The Trace, a media organization that reports on gun-related news, found that 85 percent of commenters on the draft ban opposed regulation.
Gun owners like Alexander question how to enforce a bump stock ban.
Under the ban, retailers and private citizens would be required to destroy the device themselves or turn it into an ATF office. The bureau estimates that it would cost $1.8 million to destroy all existing bump stocks.
“Since the majority of bump-stock-type devices are made of plastic material, individuals wishing to destroy the devices themselves could simply use a hammer to break apart the devices and throw the pieces away,” the proposal reads.
ATF’s proposal does not mention any compensation for those who paid $180 to $400 for their device.
Some gun store owners in Texas say they’re not worried about losing a few sales or the cost of destroying their inventory. They’re mostly concerned about the government infringing on their Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Michael Cargill, owner of Austin-based Central Texas Gun Works, said the recommendation goes against gun control advocates’ promises that they don’t want to take away guns: “That’s exactly what they’re doing.”
Cargill hasn’t been able to restock his inventory since October, when his remaining 23 bump stocks flew off the shelves after the Vegas shooting. After ATF announced the ban, Cargill said it “backed up everything around the whole country.”
Now that a ban seems likely, Cargill said, he won’t name friends or customers who already own one.
“I wouldn’t even tell you if I own one at this point because they’re going to ban them,” he said. “I’m going to plead the Fifth.”
And you can bet that many gun owners feel the same way. I told you – Trump is a one-termer because of this. They separated him from his base. And in doing so, the Congressmen and Senators managed to get the ban they wanted without having to go on record with a vote, thus opening themselves to the disapproval of the gun owning public.
The NRA gave him cover to do this. You can blame the NRA, and you can blame Trump, who believes in nothing but himself.
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On April 10, 2018 at 11:05 pm, TheOtherGeorge said:
“I told you – Trump is a one-termer because of this…”
Yes, you did tell us. But he was bound to have been a one term pres anyway because they have boxed him in from all sides. Plus he has made some stupid mistakes. He should have backed up Flynn the minute they found fault with him and because he did not do that, he signaled to everyone else that he was not going to support his own people. Rush Limbaugh has a good point; he can now either issue a pardon to his attorney and Flynn and everyone else that Mueller is investigating and THEN fire Mueller or else he will not survive as President.
Incredibly, Chuck Shumer is insisting that legislation be passed to protect Mueller from being fired – and the Republicans are backing Mueller! We are living through a coup in progress and the people that I speak to don’t even seem to see it…unbelievable, just unbelievable.
Once Trump is gone, even though Pence is next in line, the agenda that TPTB wanted will be put through. The floodgates of “immigration” will open “bigly” to use Trump’s favorite descriptive adjective, unemployment will surge again, all firearms will become illegal within a few years (at most) and we will have a government that will resemble a cross between Mexico in terms of corruption and China in terms of the iron fist of subjugation.
Oh, and the tide of 3rd world savages to hit our shores will soon enough show us what Europe and South African Whites have been going through.
Sorry, rant over. I should not have expected anything else. I have been watching this country sink culturally, educationally and economically for more than 40 years and considering that no real resistance was offered to the rot up to this point, I should have resigned myself to the country’s fate…Sigh.
On April 10, 2018 at 11:55 pm, J said:
I wonder how much Mill, Lathe and Grinder sales have increased of late.
I also wonder how much Machine Tool Education and Gunsmithing/Armorer Education enrollmemt has it increased. My observation of Armorer Enrollment, it has Tripled, at the very least.
Have you been learning?
On April 11, 2018 at 2:40 am, Johnathan said:
Will “Ex post facto” come into play, not to mention compensation for Eminent Domain?
On April 11, 2018 at 3:23 am, Pat Hines said:
The number one rule of Gun Club is you don’t talk about Gun Club.
“Incredibly, Chuck Shumer is insisting that legislation be passed to protect Mueller from being fired – and the Republicans are backing Mueller! We are living through a coup in progress and the people that I speak to don’t even seem to see it…unbelievable, just unbelievable.”
The Deep State does not tolerate those that it did not want as president. Little Jebbie was supposed to get the nomination and lose to Clinton. Trumpenthal was the stick in the spokes of their bike.
On April 11, 2018 at 11:01 am, Mike said:
Hahaha…Trump’s going show that “cuck” Obama how to ban shit.
On April 11, 2018 at 11:20 am, Fred said:
“Obama Administration legalized bump stocks. BAD IDEA.” – Donald “Take the guns first” Trump
Trump is fool who only knows which way the wind blows and apparently has zero understanding much else. For the millionth time; our rights come from no government of men.
No king but King Jesus!
On April 11, 2018 at 11:28 am, Fred said:
“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment [especially in a legal sense]: Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.” -God
On April 11, 2018 at 11:43 am, Gryphon said:
The only thing (((they))) can Try is Intimidation/Harassment Tactics, as any widespread move for Confiscation of Anything Weapons Related will certainly be the Trigger Point for (un)Civil War, and .gov Knows this.
On April 11, 2018 at 12:35 pm, Fred said:
Trump is not (((they))). He doesn’t know the Talmud from the Torah from a totem in a grove from burning children alive from Baal from temple worship from Episcopalian. Trump is not (((they)) he is )))we(((.
Blaming (((they))) is fruitless. Follow the LORD or without that we will be made slaves of anybody. A people who follow a Holy Righteous God can not be enslaved. History proves this. The Reformation (Enlightenment) did not happen because we are white. It happened because )))we((( turned back to Him who is HOLY HOLY HOLY.
The reason evil is on the rise is because we know not the LORD. Period.
On April 11, 2018 at 1:33 pm, SAM said:
Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution:
The Sixth Amendment guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay, the right to a lawyer, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to know who your accusers are and the nature of the charges and evidence against you. It has been most visibly tested in a series of cases involving terrorism, but much more often figures in cases that involve (for example) jury selection or the protection of witnesses, including victims of sex crimes as well as witnesses in need of protection from retaliation.
On April 11, 2018 at 1:58 pm, Mike said:
Give up your legally purchased property, go to jail. or get shot, those are your choices.
On April 11, 2018 at 4:29 pm, Gryphon said:
Fred – Trump is Surrounded by (((them))). His Children are Married to (((them))). His Grandchildren (by (((their))) laws) are (((Them))). Trump has taken part in a Loyalty Act at (((their))) synagogue of satan. (((they))) OWN Him. Get Over your ‘worship’ of the False Ones and their g*d Money.
We are Going to War with the synagogue of satan, one way or another, and jesus hasn’t been buying me any Ammo.
On April 11, 2018 at 5:26 pm, Fred said:
I’m aware of the conspiracy. I’ve actually read the bible many times, studied and understand it as well. Not only that, due to the blessings of our Savior, I hear it. We have been at war with the synagogue of satan since 1 AD. Nobody killed more Christians in the first century except Rome. None of this changes how we win our liberty back. Only the LORD gives freedom. He is where it comes from. Winning the coming war won’t change that. That said, I won’t roll over.
And yes, actually Jesus has been buying you your ammo. You should thank Him. I worship no man including jews. Nor do I worship myself in the form of my own financial ability to buy ammo, as an example. Ugh.
(((They))) are not the problem, our unbelief is.
Arguing with hate is boring. I’m off to church.
On April 11, 2018 at 9:39 pm, Tom said:
Wait till they start leaving bibles at crime scenes”.
a bibleater
On April 12, 2018 at 9:24 am, Fred said:
A crime scene is a good place for a bible. Clearly some of the Po Po need to read it, and obviously, the criminals too but I repeat myself… :-)
On April 12, 2018 at 11:04 pm, Roland Deschain said:
Bump stocks were found at the scene of the Las Vegas shooting. The guy had automatic weapons. Why would he need bump stocks? I just finished reading the post about false flag operations. The Vegas shooting fits the description. Bump stocks increase the rate of fire, but it makes accuracy go to shit. I never even thought about buying one, but I absolutely support everyone else’s RIGHT to own one. I would take accurate semi-auto fire over spray and pray any time!
On April 14, 2018 at 4:44 am, Dan said:
The state enforces laws like this like most such laws. Passively. They don’t actively go door to door on a search and destroy type enforcement.
That is WAY TOO DANGEROUS and WAY TOO EXPENSIVE in terms of men
and Overtime. They will simply use the law as a cudgel to CRUCIFY any person caught with such a prohibited item. ANYONE found with a bumpstock….or a mag that holds too many rounds….or a rifle with a shoulder thingy that goes up….or any other capriciously banned item will
be DESTROYED by the legal system. They will be bankrupted, hounded, harassed and if possible locked away. EVERY SINGLE PERSON they catch with such an item will become a spotlighted example of what is in store for anyone daring to oppose the agenda. Eventually they will grind away the will of the people to resist ONE VICTIM AT A TIME. There will be no
‘armed resistance’ to the raiding parties. There will be no ‘glorious battles’.
There will only be the inexorable grind of the wheels of government that grind slowly but mercilessly.