Trump Administration Allows Sale of Rapid-Fire Gun Devices in Federal Settlement

The Trump administration has settled litigation to allow the sale of "forced reset triggers," devices that enable semi-automatic rifles to fire at rates approaching those of automatic weapons, reversing the Biden administration's efforts to ban them. The Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, framed the decision as a protection of Second Amendment rights and the end of prolonged legal disputes, while gun rights groups hailed it as a major victory affirming constitutional gun ownership. However, gun control advocates, including groups like GIFFORDS and Brady United, strongly condemned the move, warning that it effectively legalizes machine guns and could lead to increased gun violence and mass shootings. The settlement includes restrictions on the manufacturer Rare Breed Triggers, such as refraining from producing similar devices for pistols and enforcing patents against copycats. Critics also highlight that these devices can be bought without background checks, raising public safety concerns. The decision follows court rulings that challenged the classification of rapid-fire devices as illegal machine guns, reflecting ongoing legal and political battles over firearm regulations.