The Supreme Court handed down a ruling with major implications for firearm regulations. In a 6-3 decision, the conservative majority found that the government exceeded its authority when it banned bump stocks. The gun accessory allows users to re-engage the trigger continuously, dramatically increasing the rate of fire. Amna Nawaz discussed more with News Hour Supreme Court analyst Marcia Coyle.
View the transcript of the story.
Discussion Questions
- What are bump stocks, and what do they do?
- When was the bump stock ban originally put in place, and under what presidential administration?
- Where was there a mass shooting using a bump stock that led to the ban?
- Who filed a lawsuit against the bump stock ban?
- Why was this decision not based on the Second Amendment?
Focus Questions
This ruling was not based on a violation of the Second Amendment (the right to bear arms). Instead, the conservatives on the court argued that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) did not have the power to ban bump stocks because the law the ATF was using referred to banning devices that made guns into "machine guns" or guns that could fire multiple rounds quickly based on a single pull of the trigger.
The Supreme Court opinion was based on "textualism" or making legal rulings based on an interpretation or meaning of the text. The dissenting justices argued that bump stocks effectively turned weapons into machine guns whether or not it fit the strict definition the other justices were applying.
Do you believe the Supreme Court should make decisions based more on the strictest interpretations of legislative language or the likely intent of legislatures in passing the laws in the first place? Why do you think so?
Media literacy: After hearing guest Marcia Coyle describe other cases in front of the Supreme Court, which do you think are most important? Which would you want to know more about?
Extension Activity
Read the opinion of the Supreme Court and the dissent of the three justices who disagreed with the opinion. The summary of the majority opinion starts on page 1. The dissent begins on page 25. Which argument do you find more persuasive, and why?
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
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