Supreme Court Cases Could Bring Major Changes to Gun Control Laws
The Supreme Court is currently considering two cases that have the potential to reshape gun control laws in the United States. These rulings, expected to be delivered during this term, could have far-reaching implications for hundreds of thousands of gun owners across the country.
One of the cases, Cargill v. Garland, revolves around the classification of bump stocks as "machine guns." Bump stocks are devices that can be attached to semi-automatic firearms to increase their rate of fire.
The case stems from a regulation issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) following the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2017. The shooter utilized semi-automatic rifles equipped with bump stocks during the attack. In response, the ATF declared that bump stocks should be classified as machine guns and mandated their surrender or destruction to avoid criminal penalties.
Michael Cargill, an army veteran and gun shop owner from Texas, is challenging the ban, arguing that it infringes upon his Second Amendment rights. The New Civil Liberties Alliance, a group supporting Cargill's case, claims that the bump stock ban affects over 500,000 gun owners in the country.
Legal experts believe that the Supreme Court's decision in Cargill could provide much-needed clarity on gun ownership, particularly after the confusion caused by last year's ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. In that case, the Supreme Court urged lower courts to ensure that gun laws align with the nation's historical tradition.
However, the ruling did not define what constitutes that tradition, leading to inconsistent interpretations by lower courts.
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The upcoming Supreme Court decisions in Cargill v. Garland and the other related case have drawn significant attention from gun rights advocates and gun control proponents alike. The rulings will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the interpretation and implementation of gun control laws nationwide.