Understanding the Definition of Machine Guns and Bump Stocks

🔍The trigger function is the determining factor for whether a weapon is classified as a machine gun or not.

🤔Bump stocks are non-mechanical devices that rely on the shooter's manual actions to simulate rapid firing.

⚖️The interpretation of the phrase 'single function of the trigger' is key to the classification of bump stocks.

🔫Bump stocks do not have an automated device for firing multiple shots, unlike true machine guns.

💡The statutory definition of machine guns was intended to address the use of automatic weapons during prohibition.

What is the statutory definition of a machine gun?

—A machine gun is defined as a weapon that can fire more than one shot automatically by a single function of the trigger.

How do bump stocks differ from machine guns?

—Bump stocks simulate rapid firing but cannot fire more than one shot automatically. They require manual actions from the shooter.

Why does the trigger function matter?

—The trigger function determines whether a weapon can be classified as a machine gun. If it can fire more than one shot automatically, it meets the definition.

Are bump stocks completely manual?

—Yes, bump stocks rely on the shooter's continuous exertion to simulate rapid firing. There are no automated components.

What was the intention behind the statutory definition of machine guns?

—The definition was created in response to the use of automatic weapons during prohibition, which resulted in significant harm.

00:04The statutory definition of a machine gun only applies to weapons that fire more than one shot automatically.

00:11Bump stocks fall outside the definition of machine guns for two reasons.

00:24Bump stocks can only fire one shot per trigger function because the trigger must reset before another shot can be fired.

01:09Bump stocks cannot fire more than one shot automatically because the shooter needs to perform additional manual actions.

01:56Bump firing with non-mechanical bump stocks relies on the shooter continuously thrusting the rifle forward with their non-shooting hand.

02:48The government argues for a broader definition of 'function' in the statute, but the phrase 'single function of the trigger' grammatically refers to the trigger's function, not the shooter's actions.

03:16The solicitor general's attempt to replace 'function' with 'pull' in the statute is not supported by the actual wording of the law.

03:38If the statute had used 'single pull of the trigger' instead, it would clearly implicate the shooter's action, but it does not.