ATF Proposed Changes To Bump Stock Regulations
CNN, Breitbart and other outlets state President Trump is about to sign new bump stock legislation. From what I can find the bump-stock "legislation" is the ATF regulation "Bump Stock Type Device" published 3/29/2018 in the Federal Register for public comment. 2 Rules definitions were listed in the docket for public comment.
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/03/29/2018-06292/bump-stock-type-devices
Application of the Definition of Machinegun to Bump Fire Stocks and Other Similar Devices https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=ATF-2018-0001-0001
Summary: Application of the Definition of Machinegun to Bump Fire Stocks and Other Similar Devices
The Department of Justice anticipates issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would interpret the statutory definition of “machinegun” in the National Firearms Act of 1934 and Gun Control Act of 1968 to clarify whether certain devices, commonly known as “bump fire” stocks, fall within that definition. Before doing so, the Department and ATF need to gather information and comments from the public and industry regarding the nature and scope of the market for these devices.
Bump-Stock Type Device https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=ATF-2018-0002-0001
Summary: Bump-Stock Type Device
The Department of Justice (Department) proposes to amend the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives regulations to clarify that “bump fire” stocks, slide-fire devices, and devices with certain similar characteristics (bump-stock-type devices) are “machineguns” as defined by the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) and the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), because such devices allow a shooter of a semiautomatic firearm to initiate a continuous firing cycle with a single pull of the trigger. Specifically, these devices convert an otherwise semiautomatic firearm into a machinegun by functioning as a self-acting or self-regulating mechanism that harnesses the recoil energy of the semiautomatic firearm in a manner that allows the trigger to reset and continue firing without additional physical manipulation of the trigger by the shooter. Hence, a semiautomatic firearm to which a bump-stock-type device is attached is able to produce automatic fire with a single pull of the trigger. With limited exceptions, primarily as to government agencies, the GCA makes it unlawful for any person to transfer or possess a machinegun unless it was lawfully possessed prior to the effective date of the statute. The bump-stock-type devices covered by this proposed rule were not in existence prior to the GCA's effective date, and therefore would fall within the prohibition on machineguns if this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is implemented. Consequently, current possessors of these devices would be required to surrender them, destroy them, or otherwise render them permanently inoperable upon the effective date of the final rule.
As for legislation as most media outlets state, all I can find is HR 3999 "To amend Title 18…" introduced 10/10/17 by Rep Curbelo - FL. The bill was sent to committee and no further action has been taken.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3999
The media is saying legislation but the Federal Register is saying amendments to regulations. Who do we believe?