Prohibition on Multiburst Trigger Activators Act

Summary: The Prohibition on Multiburst Trigger Activators Act bans devices which attach to a semiautomatic assault weapon to make them simulate machine gun fire. This type of device was used by the shooter in the Las Vegas massacre.

[Bill drafting note: California bans “multiburst trigger activators” in its penal code sections 16930 and 32900. This model is based on that California law.]

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act shall be called the “Prohibition on Multiburst Trigger Activators Act.”

SECTION 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE

(A) FINDINGS—The legislature finds that:

  1. A multiburst trigger activator, such as a bump fire or slide fire stock, is a device used to modify a semiautomatic assault weapon so that it will simulate machine gun fire, shooting hundreds of rounds per minute.
  2. These devices serve no hunting, target shooting or sporting purpose at all. At best, they are a toy to play with. At worst, they make mass murder extremely easy.
  3. The Las Vegas Police Department found twelve bump fire stocks attached to assault weapons in the hotel room of the shooter in Las Vegas massacre. They were crucial to the murderer’s ability to kill and injure so many hundreds of people in such a small amount of time and from a great distance.
  4. The State of California has had a ban on “multiburst trigger activators” since January of 2012, and since then the ban has not been successfully challenged on any constitutional or other legal grounds and is still firmly in place.
  5. In fact, “multiburst trigger activators” are not themselves firearms so—like silencers—they are not covered by the Second Amendment.

(B) PURPOSE—This law is enacted to protect the health, safety and welfare of residents and visitors.

SECTION 3. MULTIBURST TRIGGER ACTIVATORS

After section XXX, the following new section XXX shall be inserted:

(A) DEFINITIONS—In this section a “multiburst trigger activator” means either of the following:

  1. A device designed or redesigned to be attached to a semiautomatic firearm, which allows the firearm to discharge two or more shots in a burst by activating the device.
  2. A manual or power-driven trigger activating device constructed and designed so that when attached to a semiautomatic firearm it increases the rate of fire of that firearm.

(B) PROHIBITION OF MULTIBURST TRIGGER ACTIVATORS—Except as provided in [state law concerning law enforcement possession of dangerous weapons], it is illegal to manufacture or cause to be manufactured, import into the state, offer for sale, or give, lend or possess any multiburst trigger activator.

(C) ENFORCEMENT—Violation of this subsection is punishable by a fine not to exceed $20,000 or imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both.

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE

This law shall become effective on July 1, 20XX.

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