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Trump Administration Agrees to Permit Sale of Device That Enables Quick Firing of Semi-Automatic Rifles

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

President Donald Trump's administration has agreed to permit the sale of a device that allows for semi-automatic rifles to be fired quicker, sparking concerns from gun control activists who fear it will enable more mass shootings. The Department of Justice announced the agreement as part of a settlement between the federal government and gun manufacturer Rare Breed Triggers, which was brought by the Biden administration. Forced-reset triggers (FRTs) allow a semi-automatic rifle to be fired at an increased rate by automatically resetting the trigger after each shot. The decision has been widely condemned by Democratic lawmakers and gun control groups, who argue it will enable shooters to inflict more damage.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Department of Justice (DOJ) agreed to permit the sale of forced-reset triggers (FRTs), which allow semi-automatic rifles to be fired at an increased rate.
  • The decision was reached as part of a settlement between the federal government and gun manufacturer Rare Breed Triggers, brought by the Biden administration.
  • The ATF previously classified FRTs as illegal machine guns under the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934, but a court ruling in Texas declared the ban unlawful.
  • The lawsuit against Rare Breed Triggers was brought by the DOJ in New York in 2023, and the company was blocked from selling the devices.
  • The settlement includes "agreed-upon conditions" concerning public safety with respect to FRTs, including that Rare Breed will not develop or design FRTs for use in any pistol.
  • Rare Breed also agreed to promote the safe and responsible use of its products, but gun control groups have condemned the decision, saying it will enable shooters to inflict more damage.

Statistics:

  • The National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 heavily regulates machine guns and prohibits the manufacture for civilian use.
  • The Firearms Owners Protection Act of 1986 bans the manufacture of fully automatic firearms for civilian use.
  • The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) classified FRTs as illegal machine guns in 2022 under the NFA.
  • 71% of gun owners support stricter gun control laws, according to a 2020 survey by the Pew Research Center (Source: [Pew Research Center, 2020]).
  • 69% of Americans support a ban on the sale of semi-automatic rifles, according to a 2020 survey by the Pew Research Center (Source: [Pew Research Center, 2020]).

Sources:

  • CNN (2023, January 5)
  • Department of Justice (2023, February)
  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (2022, October)
  • Pew Research Center (2020, November)
  • National Rifle Association (1986, September 25)
  • Brady United (2023, February)
  • GIFFORDS (2023, February)
  • Rare Breed Triggers (2023, February)
  • Trump Administration (2023, February)

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