As Federal Bump Stock Ban Goes Into Effect, Brady Calls for Further Congressional Action

Washington, D.C., March 26, 2019 — Nearly a year and a half after the Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest shooting, the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, bump stocks are finally illegal in the United States after a federal ban went into effect today. But with court cases continuing and the ongoing risk of sudden changes to federal regulations, Brady renewed its call for Congress to take action on a permanent solution. Brady has led the way on the fight to ban bump stocks, dating back to its pending class action lawsuit against the manufacturers on behalf of the Las Vegas shooting victims.

Brady president Kris Brown stated,

“We've fought hard for the survivors of the Route 91 Harvest shooting, and this federal ban marks a long-awaited victory. But until Congress takes action, there will still be a risk that bump stocks - weapons of war - will be back on our streets because of legal claims related to this administrative rule change. The time is now for our Congressional leaders to finally take action and classify bump stocks as illegal machine guns, ensuring that our communities are safe from these dangerous devices.”

• Prescott et al v. Slide Fire Solutions
• November 28, 2018 - Brady Renews Call For Immediate Congressional Action to Ban Bump Stocks
• December 18, 2018 - More Than One Year After Las Vegas Massacre, Trump Administration Bans Bump Stocks

• June 7, 2010 - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) replies to a request by Slide Fire Solutions, LP for an evaluation of its bump stock technology (which it claimed would assist people with limited hand mobility to fire AR-15 style rifles). ATF determined that a bump stock was not regulated as a firearm.
• February 27, 2013 - Sen. Dianne Feinstein opens a Judiciary Committee hearing showing videos on the bump stock threat.
• October 1, 2017 - In Las Vegas, a shooter uses bump stocks to fire more than 1,100 rounds in 11 minutes, killing 58 people and injuring more than 500 others at the Route 91 Harvest music festival.
• October 4, 2017 - Sen. Feinstein again introduces a bill to ban the sale and possession of bump stock equipment.
• October 6, 2017 - Brady Center files a lawsuit against Slide Fire Solutions, LP and other bump stock manufacturers on behalf of concert-goers at the Las Vegas music festival.
• November 8, 2017 - Sen. Feinstein reintroduces an assault weapons bill that includes banning bump stocks and similar devices.
• December 6, 2017 - Las Vegas survivors Heather Gooze, Christine Caria, and Heather Sallan urge Congress to ban bump stocks in Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
• December 26, 2017 - ATF issues pre-rule request for comments (i.e. ANPRM) after Trump Administration directs the agency to develop a rule to ban bump stocks instead of supporting congressional action to do so.
• January 25, 2018 - ATF’s comment period closes, with nearly 116,000 comments received.
• February 20, 2018 - Days after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, FL, Trump issues Executive Memorandum to US Attorney General directing Justice Department to expedite rule-making to ban bump stocks.
• March 24, 2018 - ATF issues a proposed rule (i.e. NPRM) to ban bump stocks and other such devices as “machine guns.”
• June 27, 2018 - ATF receives nearly 36,000 comments by this close date for comments, with a majority supporting a nationwide ban on bump stocks.
• September 17, 2018 - Judge holds that Slide Fire Solutions, LP is immune from liability under the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, dismissing Brady’s lawsuit, but allows amended complaint to be filed.
• October 1, 2018 - One-year anniversary of the Las Vegas massacre; 9 states and at least 4 localities have banned bump stocks, yet the Trump Administration and Congress have done nothing at the national level to get them off the streets.
• October 8, 2018 - Brady and co-counsel file Plaintiffs’ amended complaint in class action against Slide Fire.
• December 6, 2018 - One year since the US Senate heard testimony from survivors of Las Vegas in a hearing calling for an immediate ban bump stocks and similar devices.
• December 18, 2018 - The Trump Administration clarifies that bump stocks and similar devices fall within the federal prohibition on machine guns and are therefore illegal under federal law.
• March 26, 2019 - The federal ban on bump stocks goes into effect. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rejects a bid to block the ban.