Topic: Bump Stocks

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich and other pundits are targeting Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito following the court's decision to overturn the bump stock ban. The hosts discuss the broader implications for the "Chevron deference," as the court moves to limit the power of federal administrative agencies to interpret statutes.

The investigation into the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, continues to face scrutiny over changing law enforcement timelines. In response, Representative Jerry Nadler introduced HR 7910, the "Protecting Our Kids Act," which seeks to raise the age limit for semi-automatic rifle purchases to 21 and ban high-capacity magazines. Critics argue the legislation will not deter determined criminals and focuses on cosmetic features like bump stocks.

The Trump administration officially issued a rule banning bump stocks, giving owners 90 days to destroy them or turn them in to the ATF. The hosts discuss the technical reality of bump stocks, arguing they do not actually turn semi-automatic rifles into automatic machine guns as claimed by some media outlets.

Politicians discussing gun control are accused of insincerity unless they explicitly advocate for the repeal of the Second Amendment. Current debates regarding bump stocks and mental health databases are viewed as political maneuvers to stir voter turnout for the 2018 elections. The exploitation of student survivors for political gain is criticized as a distraction from the constitutional process required for real change.

The hosts examine proposed legislation in the 115th Congress to ban devices that increase the rate of fire for semi-automatic rifles, such as bump stocks. They point out the technical difficulty of the ban, noting that simple items like rubber bands or sticks can be used to achieve similar effects. They argue the language of the bill is overly broad and potentially unenforceable.

Critics and survivors of the Las Vegas shooting have pointed out a perceived double standard in the White House response to different tragedies. While the Manhattan attack prompted immediate calls for immigration reform, the Las Vegas shooting has not yet resulted in legislation regarding bump stocks. The Senate Judiciary Committee stated it will not hold hearings on the devices until the Las Vegas investigation is further along.

A donor from the US Navy discusses the 2016 election and the Las Vegas shooting, questioning the official narrative regarding bump fire stocks. The hosts introduce "Service Goat Karma" as a new variation of their listener blessing jingles.

Sheriff Lombardo explicitly denied any conspiracy between the FBI, local police, and MGM Resorts. In a technical aside, the hosts discuss the phenomenon of "cooking off," where a rifle becomes so hot from rapid fire that rounds ignite spontaneously in the chamber. They suggest this might explain some of the audio recorded during the Las Vegas massacre.

The hosts examine the aftermath of the October 1, 2017, Las Vegas massacre, comparing the potential legislative fallout to the post-9/11 Patriot Act. They discuss the sudden surge in bump stock sales and the technical reality that rapid fire can be achieved without specialized hardware.

The technical aspects of "bump stocks" and "Gatling cranks" are briefly discussed as methods for increasing the rate of fire for semi-automatic weapons. The show then transitions to a formal knighting ceremony for Stephen Hutto, who is dubbed "Sir Shutto of the Tiny Precipice" for his $1,000 donation. The ceremony includes the traditional reading of the "hookers and blow" list and an invitation to the "Roundtable."