Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2023 This bill subjects bump stocks to regulation under federal firearms laws. Specifically, the bill adds bump stocks to the list of firearms subject to regulation (e.g., registration and licensing requirements) under the National Firearms Act. Additionally, it includes bump stocks in the list of firearms subject to regulation (e.g., background check requirements) under the Gun Control Act of 1968.
The enactment of HB 396 would significantly change the legal landscape surrounding firearm regulations by categorizing bump stocks as regulated firearms. This regulation will entail the implementation of registration and licensing requirements for individuals who own such devices. Additionally, existing owners will be required to register their bump stocks within one year of the bill's enactment, leading to a more comprehensive firearms registry that includes previously unregulated devices. This change aims to limit the availability and use of bump stocks among the public.
House Bill 396, titled the 'Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2023', seeks to regulate bump stocks under the same federal firearms laws that govern machineguns. Specifically, the bill intends to add bump stocks to the list of firearms subject to regulation under the National Firearms Act and the Gun Control Act of 1968. The legislation defines a bump stock as any device that enables a semiautomatic weapon to fire at a rate similar to that of a machinegun, thereby increasing its lethality and potential for misuse.
Despite the potential safety benefits attributed to stricter bump stock regulations, the bill may face opposition from gun rights advocates who argue that such restrictions infringe upon Second Amendment rights. The debate surrounding this bill is likely to focus on the effectiveness of regulating bump stocks as a means to prevent mass shootings and whether it serves as a precedent for future firearm restrictions. Supporters of the bill view it as a necessary step toward enhancing public safety, while detractors may see it as an unjust government overreach into lawful firearm ownership.