15 U.S. States Sue to Block Return of Gun Conversion Devices Under Trump-Era Settlement
Washington, D.C. : Fifteen Democratic-led U.S. states filed a lawsuit on Monday aiming to block the Trump administration from returning thousands of previously seized firearm conversion devices known as forced-reset triggers, which can enable semiautomatic rifles to fire at machine-gun-like speeds.
Key Highlights:
Lawsuit Filed in Baltimore:
The states filed the case in federal court following a May 16 settlement by the Trump administration allowing the return of nearly 12,000 forced-reset triggers previously seized by the government.
Devices Still Illegal, States Argue:
The lawsuit insists that these devices remain illegal under federal law, specifically the National Firearms Act, as they can effectively convert firearms into illegal machine guns.
Ban Imposed Under Biden:
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) had earlier banned the devices under President Joe Biden after determining they met the criteria of illegal machine guns.
States Leading the Challenge:
The legal challenge is spearheaded by New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, with participation from 12 other states and the District of Columbia, including Massachusetts, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington.
Quote from NJ Attorney General:
“We will not stand by as the Trump administration attempts to secretly legalize machine guns,” said New Jersey AG Matthew Platkin, citing public safety concerns.
Trump-Era Policy Reversal:
The settlement marks a reversal of the Biden administration’s policy, which had classified the devices as illegal and pursued legal action against manufacturers.
Controversy Over Gun Rights and Safety:
The Trump administration’s agreement came after conflicting court rulings and lawsuits by gun rights advocates and Biden’s DOJ. Under the settlement, the ban will not apply if the devices are not designed for handguns.
Public Safety Concerns:
The states argue the devices have been tied to mass shootings and violent crimes and claim over 100,000 such devices have circulated in recent years.
DOJ Yet to Respond:
The U.S. Justice Department has not yet issued a statement regarding the new lawsuit.
