Does The Bump Stock Ban Test The Waters For Confiscation?

By WASR – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63131657

This has been getting a good amount of coverage, lately. But, as I usually do, I wanted to take a different approach on it. Some background, if you weren't aware, there is currently an attempt at banning bump-stocks and other devices that accelerate the rate of fire of a semi-automatic firearm. As we all know, this is stupid because there are a lot of things that can accelerate the rate of fire of an AR-15, to include just pulling the trigger really fast like one of the Miculeks is capable of doing.

Or, you could just use your belt-loop, a rubber band, or any other imaginative doohicky you can think up. Seriously, it's that easy. However, I doubt the DOJ will try to ban Levi Strauss, Wrangler, or rubber bands.

But, that's not the point. The point is that Donald Trump said he wanted to ban these firearm accessories, and now they're actually trying to do that with this DOJ regulation that will alter the way the law is written, which essentially changes what a “machine gun” is. While this is ludicrous on many levels, it's something we need to watch and take action on, because it could be the beginning of something else, much bigger.

And much worse.

There are some estimates that say there are over a half-million bump-stock devices in circulation (which is funny, because the gun-grabbers just heard about them. Why do they care all of a sudden?). While I don't personally see the point of wasting the ammo and do not own one of these accessories, here's my main issue and why I'm ready to throw down:

I believe this is a test to see if we are willing to rollover without a fight. Is this a test to see what the “3%” does? And, if so, what happens next, should we give in to the powers that be?

Or, in other words, I believe this is the first step in a long line of follow-up steps that could lead the Second Amendment effectively down those proverbial tubes George Carlin was always talking about.

If we rollover and don't fight back, because we don't see the point of bump-stocks, then we've already lost the fight. We cannot afford to let any of these laws pass. We cannot afford to allow them to change the definition of what a machine gun is. We cannot give them any leeway, because where does it stop? Here is some of the wording of the (very) long document:

ATF has now determined, based on its interpretation of the relevant statutory language, that these bump-stock-type devices, which harness recoil energy in conjunction with the shooter's maintenance of pressure, turn legal semiautomatic firearms into machineguns. Specifically, ATF has determined that these devices initiate an “automatic[]” firing cycle sequence “by a single function of the trigger” because the device is the primary impetus for a firing sequence that fires more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger.

… If the proposed rule became effective, bump-stock-type devices would be considered machineguns under the NFA and could not be lawfully possessed because the GCA prohibits persons from possessing a machinegun unless it was lawfully possessed before the effective date of the statute. Bump-stock-type devices currently possessed by individuals would have to be destroyed or turned in upon implementation of the regulation.

We are on that Slippery Slope Jacob spoke about a little while ago. It's only going to get worse, and we are fighting an opposition that has never been stronger because they have gotten sneaky to the sickening point of using children as political leverage.

Why would they do that, unless it was to achieve an agenda? Why would they use our children against us unless it was to take away our rights? Listen to what I'm about to say next very carefully: They are doing this to test the waters. They are hoping we will not fight, because “bump-stocks” are not guns, and don't technically fall under the rights the Second Amendment affords us.

They are hoping we don't fight, and believe we won't.

Which is why we must fight back. Make your voices heard however you can. ATF tells us how to be heard, below:

ATF requests comments on the proposed rule from all interested persons. ATF specifically requests comments on the scope of this proposed rule and the definition of “machinegun.” ATF also requests comments on the costs and benefits of the proposed rule and on the appropriate methodology and data for calculating those costs and benefits. Further, ATF requests public comment on the reasonableness of the assumption that retailers of bump-stock-type devices are likely to be businesses with an online presence. In addition, ATF specifically requests comments regarding how ATF should address bump-stock-type devices that private parties currently possess, and the appropriate means of implementing a final rule.

All comments must reference the docket number ATF 2017R-22, be legible, and include the commenter's complete first and last name and full mailing address. ATF will not consider, or respond to, comments that do not meet these requirements or comments containing profanity. In addition, if ATF cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, ATF may not be able to consider your comment.

Federal eRulemaking Portal: ATF strongly recommends that you submit your comments to ATF via the Federal eRulemaking portal. Visit http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for submitting comments. Comments will be posted within a few days of being submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are being processed simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to several weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that regulations.gov provides after you have successfully uploaded your comment.

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this, is that in that long letter they named the Las Vegas shooting numerous times as the reason for this change. That's disturbing to me because we still don't have any information on what happened there. So, they are essentially making laws for the American people based on events that have not been released to us.

Does that seem in the least bit strange? They better release some more information on that event before they start making rules because of it.

As an aside to my point, I thought I'd share with you my absolute favorite part of this proposal from the ATF:

Individuals who have purchased bump-stock-type devices prior to the implementation of this rule would have the option of destroying the devices themselves, turning the devices in to the nearest ATF office for destruction by ATF or, subject to compliance with U.S. Mail regulations and the policies of commercial shipment services, sending the devices to ATF through the U.S. Mail or other commercial delivery service.

So, let me get this straight, just because I'm a little slow, here. You (ATF) want to reclassify something, an accessory, as a dangerous, illegal NFA controlled “machine gun” (your words, not mine. If you don't remember saying that, I quoted you above). Okay, fine. But then, you ask me to bring that illegal machine gun to the POST OFFICE? So, you want us to ship illegal things, through mail, which, last time I checked, was illegal to do?

Okay, LOL, just checking. Man, almost as if you, TOO, also believe it's just an accessory.

My dearest ATF, it seems as if your hypocrisy knows no bounds.