No Bump-Fire Stock? No Problem — These Guys Show How Massachusetts’ Proposed Ban Is Arguably Useless

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2017/10/13/no-bump-fire-stock-no-problem-these-guys-show-how-massachusetts-proposed-ban-is-arguably-useless/

As the Massachusetts Legislature continues its quest to be the first state in the nation to outlaw bump-fire stocks — the add-on equipment authorities claim helped maximize a Las Vegas gunman’s body count — a New Boston Post review has determined that there are a host of ways to get around the proposed ban, and all it takes is a little technique.

The most significant example comes from a YouTube personality known as ThatGunGuy45, a man who describes himself as “absolutely passionate about guns.” 

“I love everything about them,” he says in his introductory video. “I was in the Army for seven years, three of which I was a small arms-slash-utility repairman, so I’ve worked on everything from the service-carry pistol, to sniper rifles, to shotguns, I’ve worked on all of it.”

According to YouTube, he uploaded his introductory video a little more than eight months ago. 

Last February, he proved that it doesn’t take a bump-fire stock or a “trigger crank” to induce rapid machine gun-style fire with a semi-automatic firearm:

Bump-fire stocks, an add-on piece of plastic or metal that can be added to the butt-end of a rifle, allow users to unload bullets rapid-fire by utilizing the firearm’s recoil. Thursday’s amendment, passed by the state Senate, gives anyone who already owns a bump-fire stock approximately 90 days to get ride of the equipment, or risk facing a maximum term of life in prison. 

ThatGunGuy45 — and a host of other YouTube gun gurus — have already proven however that it only takes the right holding technique and the right feel to utilize the natural recoil action of a legal firearm.

“I’m going to hold it with my left hand right here, and I’m going to put my finger right here — and I’m not going to actually pull the trigger with my finger, which is a little bit different than how you normally shoot,” he explains. 

The video depicts him holding the front stock of the firearm with his right hand, with his left-hand trigger finger nestled within the gun’s trigger center — a mere squeeze of the trigger causes the gun to rocket back-and-forth. The key, apparently, lies in not bracing the butt-end of the firearm against one’s shoulder or any other body part. 

“They recoil when they shoot,” he says. “The gun is going to bounce, and you’re just going to ‘bump’ the trigger, and that’s what bump-firing is.”

ThatGunGuy45, according to the video, also explains that the best way to learn to shoot bump-fire style is to hold the firearm at waist level, with one’s trigger finger aligned with both the firearm’s trigger-well and one’s belt-loop. 

“Your trigger-finger is going to stay stationary, which is awesome,” he says. “That’s one of the hardest things — is to just not move your trigger-finger.

“If you have it on your belt-loop you can push forward on the rifle and it’s just gonna bounce.” 

Interestingly enough, bump-fire stocks were introduced in order to assist disabled persons. 

As for Massachusetts’ proposed ban, the Senate and House versions — both tucked inside of a supplemental spending bill apparently needed to close out 2017 — differ dramatically. 

Gun rights groups claim that the House version would criminalize any equipment used to improve firearm usage — even mere efforts to improve the bolt-action of a shotgun. 

The Senate version, however, is more limited in that it specifically bans bump-fire stocks and trigger cranks. 

Both versions will be subject to debate by Beacon Hill leaders in the coming weeks. 

Gov. Charlie Baker has already signaled that he supports a ban on bump-fire stocks.