January 22, 2018
For immediate release

Former ATF Chief Reiterates GOA’s Warning on Regulating Bump Stocks

Springfield, VA – A former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) chief acknowledges that regulations or a ban from the ATF relating to bump stocks could affect other firearms and firearm parts.

Rick Vasquez, former Acting ATF Firearms Tech Branch Chief, in an interview with the Military Arms Channel, confirmed the warnings of Gun Owners of America (GOA) that a ban or regulation on devices that “increase the rate of fire” could be expanded to cover much, much more.

After the tragic Las Vegas shooting, GOA warned that any law or regulation on bump stocks could also be applied to firearm parts such as triggers and magazines.

“Vasquez and the Military Arm Channel echo GOA’s concerns. As GOA noted in our comments to the ATF, bump stocks do not fall under the established definition of a machine gun, nor does the agency have the statutory authority to re-define such terms,” Erich Pratt, executive director of GOA said.

“However, if the ATF creates for itself such regularity power, then any firearm or firearm part deemed to ‘increase the rate of fire,’ could be regulated or banned,” Pratt stated. “Such a regulation would put competition triggers, magazines, or semi-automatic firearms at risk.”

Both GOA and Gun Owners Foundation (GOA’s legal arm) have submitted comments to the ATF in opposition to regulating or banning bump stocks. GOA’s comments can be viewed here, and GOF’s comments can be viewed here.

Erich Pratt, or another GOA spokesperson, is available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over 1.5 million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Newsroom.

NOTE: The Military Arms Channel can be contacted through Gun Owners of America.

— GOA —