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The Supreme Court's decision leaves gun ownership at the center of the presidential debate

2024-06-20 19:22:07, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Supreme Court's decision leaves gun ownership at the center of the

Weapon, source AFP

The Supreme Court last week overturned a ban on the use of a device that allows semi-automatic weapons to fire bursts similar to machine guns. As Voice of America correspondent Scott Stearns reports, the decision puts the issue of gun ownership at the center of the presidential election debate.

These devices are purchased separately and mounted to intensify the gun's barrage, firing hundreds of rounds a minute. They were banned by former President Trump in 2018 after an attack on a music festival in 2017 in Las Vegas, where 60 people were killed.

"This morning we finalized the new regulation to ban devices that intensify gunfire," said Mr. Trump.

The perpetrator of the attack used such a device and fired more than 1,000 bullets continuously from the window of a hotel.

The Supreme Court's conservative majority said in its ruling that Mr. Trump's administration exceeded its authority when it outlawed the use of the devices.

The Court's decision keeps the issue of the use of weapons at the center of the presidential campaign.

Former President Trump's campaign team said Americans should respect the court's decision. On Friday, Mr. Trump told those gathered to celebrate his birthday in Florida that his re-election would make it possible to protect gun rights under the Second Amendment.

"It is necessary for the people, the gunmen, to vote. Because if you didn't vote, you won't be able to hold your gun for a long time, because they want to take everything from you. They want to take your guns away. They want to take your ammo. They want to destroy the Second Amendment," Mr. Trump said.

President Biden's campaign team called on Congress to reinstate the ban on weapon-intensifying devices.

"There is a clear contrast between our position and the former president. Let's not forget, the former president literally said that people should accept the decision and move on. But this is related to the issue of gun violence in the US. let's take it seriously. Let's realize that we all have the power to play our part in this," said Vice President Kamala Harris.

Mr. Trump's supporters in Congress support the rights of gun owners to use devices that intensify gunfire.

“This device serves those who have been harmed by weapons, but who continue to use them actively. This does not mean that they will increase targeting citizens. This has never happened," said Byron Donalds, a Republican lawmaker.

Mr Biden's supporters in Congress say the Supreme Court decision will lead to more lives being lost.

"There is no doubt that there will be other tragedies due to these devices. And we have to ask ourselves why is such a thing necessary?", says Adam Schiff, Democratic lawmaker.

According to Pew Research, nearly a third of Americans say they own a gun.

Before the November elections, the Supreme Court is expected to decide on a case centered on the right to bear arms for individuals against whom restraining orders have been imposed because they have exercised domestic violence./ VOA