The question
Whether a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock qualifies as a "machinegun" under 26 U.S.C. § 5845(b), such that ATF could classify bump stocks as machineguns by rule.
Garland v. Cargill
What the Court decided
The Court reversed and held that ATF exceeded its statutory authority when it issued a Rule classifying bump stocks as machineguns. A semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock does not fire more than one shot by a single function of the trigger, because the trigger must still be released and reset between each shot. Even if it did, it would not do so automatically. A bump stock only reduces the time that elapses between separate functions of the trigger.
How the justices split
6-3The Court's opinion
Thomas, joined by Roberts, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett
The statute defines a machinegun as a weapon that fires more than one shot by a single function of the trigger, automatically. A semiautomatic rifle with a bump stock fails both requirements. The phrase function of the trigger refers to the trigger's mode of action, and with a bump stock the trigger must still be released and reset before each shot, so each shot is a separate function of the trigger. A bump stock only reduces the time between those functions. Even if a single function of the trigger produced multiple shots, the weapon would not fire automatically. ATF therefore exceeded its statutory authority.
Concurring
Alito, writing alone
Alito filed a concurring opinion.
Dissenting
Sotomayor, joined by Kagan, Jackson
Sotomayor filed a dissenting opinion, joined by Kagan and Jackson.
How we know · 5 sourced claims
The Court held that ATF exceeded its statutory authority by issuing a Rule that classifies a bump stock as a machinegun under 26 U.S.C. § 5845(b).
Source: syllabus, Held
A semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock does not fire more than one shot by a single function of the trigger, because the shooter must release and reset the trigger between every shot.
Source: syllabus, Held
Even if a bump-stock-equipped rifle could fire more than one shot by a single function of the trigger, it would not do so automatically.
Source: syllabus, Held
Thomas delivered the opinion of the Court, joined by Roberts, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett.
Source: syllabus, lineup
Sotomayor filed a dissenting opinion, joined by Kagan and Jackson.
Source: syllabus, lineup