Washington, D.C. – The Supreme Court made a significant ruling on Friday, striking down the Trump administration’s ban on bump stocks, the controversial rapid-fire gun accessories used in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The decision reignited the debate on gun control in the country and brought firearms back into the political spotlight.

The conservative majority on the high court found that the Trump administration had overstepped its bounds by banning bump stocks, which allow for a rate of fire similar to machine guns. The ban came in the aftermath of a tragic incident in Las Vegas, where a gunman armed with semiautomatic rifles equipped with bump stocks fired over 1,000 rounds in just 11 minutes at a country music festival, resulting in multiple casualties.

In a 6-3 majority opinion penned by Justice Clarence Thomas, the court criticized the Justice Department for declaring bump stocks as illegal machine guns. The ruling emphasized that despite the rapid fire enabled by bump stocks, each trigger depression still only releases one shot, therefore not meeting the legal definition of a machine gun.

The decision sparked a political debate, with Democrats denouncing the reversal of the ban and many Republicans supporting the ruling. The issue of gun control remains contentious in Congress, with little prospects of passing significant restrictions in the current divided political climate.

President Joe Biden, a proponent of gun restrictions, called on Congress to reinstate the ban on bump stocks. Meanwhile, former President Trump, who has courted support from gun owners, downplayed his administration’s actions on bump stocks, pledging to protect gun rights if reelected.

The Supreme Court’s ruling came after a landmark decision expanding gun rights in 2022, with more gun-related cases awaiting a verdict. The controversy over bump stocks centered on whether the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had exceeded its authority in imposing the ban.

Overall, the ruling highlights the ongoing debate surrounding gun control and the interpretation of existing laws in the United States. Advocates on both sides of the issue continue to push for their respective positions, emphasizing the importance of addressing these complex and sensitive matters through legislative action.