Washington — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Sunday that he plans to vote this week on reinstating a ban on bump stocks, devices that significantly increase the rate of fire of semi-automatic weapons, after the Supreme Court declared invalid a federal rule that banned the device days ago.
Calling the Supreme Court a “MAGA court” and saying they have “once again abandoned the boundaries of the far right,” Schumer said at a news conference Sunday that he plans to vote unanimously on reinstating the ban on bump stocks. , which could be blocked by opposition from just one parliamentarian.
Schumer called the ban “common sense” and said the Senate can help restore the “public safety rule” while urging Republicans to join him in “protecting the American people.”
President Biden called on Congress to pass legislation to ban bump stocks following Friday’s Supreme Court decision, promising to sign a bill into law if it reaches his desk.
“Today’s decision eliminates an important gun safety rule,” the president said in a statement. “Americans should not have to live in fear of this massive destruction.”
In the 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its authority when it issued the ban in 2018, following the 2017 mass shooting at a Las Vegas music festival — which was the deadliest in American history. The decision came along ideological lines.
Schumer said in a statement after the ruling that “the only way to permanently close this loophole is through legislation,” noting that “Senate Democrats are prepared to pass legislation to ban bump stocks , but we will need votes from Republicans in the Senate.”
Emma Nicholson contributed reporting.
