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Supreme Court ruled correctly on bump stocks … even though they should be banned

Supreme Court ruled correctly on bump stocks … even though they should be banned

The issue of bump stocks is very simple.  It is illegal to own a fully automatic gun – a gun that releases a full magazine with one pull on the trigger.  With a semi-automatic weapon, each bullet requires a separate pull on the trigger.

As we have tragically seen too many times, semi-automatic guns can fire a lot of rounds in a very short time – but not nearly as many as one equipped with a bump stock.  It turns a legal semi-automatic weapon into an illegal fully automatic weapon.   That should be illegal – and that should be obvious despite technical differences and legalese.

Recently –and to the consternation from anti-gun folks – the Supreme Court declared that President Trump’s action to make bump stocks illegal was unconstitutional.    Even though they should be illegal in my judgment, the Supreme Court decision was the correct one.

Making bump stocks illegal is the role of the Congress – with the role of the President to either sign or veto the legislation.  An executive order from the President is a usurpation of the powers of Congress.  It is an authoritarian act.

One of the essential roles of the Supreme Court is to maintain the critical balance of power between the three branches of government – AND, incidentally, to prevent bureaucratic abuses of power through excessive and inappropriate rulemaking (legislating).  (Actually, the Supreme Court is considering a case dealing with bureaucratic regulatory abuse.  But that is for another commentary … and I digress.)

Ironically, President Biden claims to be a defender of democracy despite the fact that he is among the greatest users – abusers — of authoritarian executive orders to improperly assume legislative powers.  In fact, he often admits that he uses executive orders when Congress does not pass the laws he wants.

Lack of action by Congress is not a green light for the President to enact laws by edict.   The Supreme Court is doing its job when it defends the role of Congress.  Unfortunately, it is not doing it enough.  Bump stocks should be outlawed – BUT it is up to Congress to do it.

So, there ‘tis.

About The Author

Larry Horist

So, there ‘tis… The opinions, perspectives and analyses of businessman, conservative writer and political strategist Larry Horist. Larry has an extensive background in economics and public policy. For more than 40 years, he ran his own Chicago based consulting firm. His clients included such conservative icons as Steve Forbes and Milton Friedman. He has served as a consultant to the Nixon White House and travelled the country as a spokesman for President Reagan’s economic reforms. Larry professional emphasis has been on civil rights and education. He was consultant to both the Chicago and the Detroit boards of education, the Educational Choice Foundation, the Chicago Teachers Academy and the Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts. Larry has testified as an expert witness before numerous legislative bodies, including the U. S. Congress, and has lectured at colleges and universities, including Harvard, Northwestern and DePaul. He served as Executive Director of the City Club of Chicago, where he led a successful two-year campaign to save the historic Chicago Theatre from the wrecking ball. Larry has been a guest on hundreds of public affairs talk shows, and hosted his own program, “Chicago In Sight,” on WIND radio. An award-winning debater, his insightful and sometimes controversial commentaries have appeared on the editorial pages of newspapers across the nation. He is praised by audiences for his style, substance and sense of humor. Larry retired from his consulting business to devote his time to writing. His books include a humorous look at collecting, “The Acrapulators’ Guide”, and a more serious history of the Democratic Party’s role in de facto institutional racism, “Who Put Blacks in That PLACE? -- The Long Sad History of the Democratic Party’s Oppression of Black Americans ... to This Day”. Larry currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

29 Comments

  1. frank stetson

    The Horist’s ass lies once more when he stupidly states: “the fact that he is among the greatest users – abusers — of authoritarian executive orders to improperly assume legislative powers.”
    Trump did 220 in 4 years.
    Biden is at 139 at 3.42 years
    Obama did 276 in 8
    Clinton 364 in 8
    Bush 291 in 8
    Bush 166 in 4.
    Reagan 381 in 8,

    What a liar Horist is.

    • larry Horist

      Frank Stetson … It is that old reading comprehension problem AND name calling. I referred to Biden as an ABUSER — issuing unconstitutional EOs And using them to keep the border open. You are apparently not counting reversing Trump’s border EOs … eh?

      • frank stetson

        Actually you are correct, your reading comprehension problem and name calling continue.

        I offered the olive branch that we stop this stupid shit you promulgate in many of your punditries. You did not respond.

        I mentioned this a number of times. You were mute.

        I noted that I would respond in kind. I am just warming up. So, fire away, it’s your game for the day, please tip the waitress as you go astray.

        I really would love just taking issues, but you seem to have to skip them and go on the personal attack while accusing me of starting it first. I offered the olive branch. I waited, not defaming you for a moment. You continued and continue to this day.

        Well, Lawrence Patrick Hoirst —- at least I won’t dox you, target your family, and anything else. Will leave the fishy photos and skydiving out of it. But, you sir, have picked being public, you pride yourself on how many read you, so why not return fire as fire is given. There is no doubt I offered the olive branch and held a brief ceasefire. There is no doubt that you could give a fuck about that.

        On this one: yes, your stupid spin above is correct while also pointing directly at your dementia caused by old age not allowing full comprehension of what you yourself wrote, which was: ” the fact that he is among the greatest users – abusers — of authoritarian executive orders…” I chose “greatest users” and provided the truth to that LIE.

        Later, in my response to Darren’s reasonable reply, unlike your Hoirst-shit, I clarified my quantity versus quality reply, but don’t bother, I did not pen that for you since your responses are those of a dickwad Trump brown shirt.

        • larry Horist

          Frank Stetson … LOL Olive branch??? You unload attacks and insults on me .. and others … as if that Tourette’s Syndrome mouth of yours is equipped with a bump stock. You shot off a dozen pejoratives in one response. You raise the issue of doxxing and targeting my family??? What does that have to do with anything. That is just Wacko. And what are the “fishy photos” you refer to — or the skydiving reference. Yes I do have a certain amount of public notoriety. And I have jumped out of airplanes — even as an old man Jealous? You obviously checked out my Facebook as you have also searched me online. And you still beg for me to play your game by wasting time responding to all your crap. That is called obsession. Probably time to again drop the mic on you.

          • frank stetson

            What has one voice but goes on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening? Horist has always been old, from the beginning, in his thoughts.

            As long as Horist remains in denial of his own truths, he remains the old man he invented in the 60’s. This time he retorts the things I noted I would not do as if I might. Pugnacious prick picking a fight. He pretends he does not know his own Facebook as he admits he does. He is still the pugnacious prick he always has been picking fights like he’s still in the school yard. Fuck the issues, he is very good at picking fights and not very good at debate of criticism of his view on the issues. He is known for that, tilting at windmills, and being beat by Spanky the Clown. He once made money lobbying for the Chinese, once for big tobacco too. His resume has more embellishments than any of my family stories.

            He once told us he did not have to provide facts because everyone knows. Fucking incredible stupidity.

            He once told us he has more readers, more repostings, and more searches and therefore those who counter him are stupid. Probably thinks he has the longest penis too….. Yes, Lawrence, in your tiny little pond that is your life, your short stints with the big guys, your flakey little “do anything” consultancy, and your drive to be published to bring in the bucks, make you king of your tiny world. Too bad you lost more elections than you won, including ——wait for it……..wait for it…… STClown! I started in the product version of your little political consultancy, what a crock of shit. Little fiefdoms designed to honor the owner king. Ask yourself — where is that business now? Did you sell it? NBL. It had no value, just as the person who cannot professionally respond has no value,

            Better you hide and not respond at all like your little PBP writers do.

            Yes, I offered the olive branch, I desisted for a couple days while I waited for response. And waited. And asked again. And waited. Instead, he kept at it. He says he never reads, and when he does, never finishes. Bullshit. He’s on me like white on rice. He would rather hurl insults than try to defend against the criticism of his tired, old ideas.
            He says Biden has dementia while he votes for his Felon Rapist King. Who has dementia?

            And I had a healthy tome full of colorful expressions, sarcasm, wit, but as I type, I realize, you are not worth it because you have no shame, you will not change, you are just like your closed-minded nasty bully Felon Rapist King.

            We get it. You like this. You like to stoke this. I wonder why? Is it pride? Is it for readership? I think he does it because he knows no other way to defend the bullshit he spews when facts are brought to the table. Like his Felon Rapist King, he can never surrender, never admit wrong, instead he just blathers stupid insults like they will have an effect. And then he attempts diminishment via pretending he does not read, the reader cannot comprehend, you can’t read the mind of Horist, and other trivial tricks to diminish folks that criticize. SOSO and very old. He rarely responds to any issues with facts, figures, statistics —- just snark trying to pick a fight. He’s not an academic, he’s a street fighter than desires no growth in his approach or his data set. Probably has not had a new idea in decades, and has never had a novel one. Just copies the hard right mantra he learned as a young man and still believes it’s relevant.

            Yes, take the mic drop. It’s better when you don’t respond in your childish manner of picking a fight to avoid talking the issues where you can’t support your lies.

            And nah. No more fights from me. Pick a fight with someone else old man. Or continue to pick a fight with me. Pick your nose, I don’t care. I’m going back to the issues instead of fighting with a pig where it might be fun, but I feel so dirty after. Like washing in slime.. So, I quit, you win. Celebrate! I am going back to the issues and you can do what you will.

      • Tom

        Larry ole son, you actually have spun yourself into confusion on this one. What you actually say in your article (please read it for yourself) is the following, “… he is among the greatest users – abusers — of authoritarian executive orders ”

        You say he is a 1) A user; 2) An abuser.

        I can only find a total of five EO’s that have anything to do directly or remotely with the border, and they are all part of the total number of 139. See *https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders* and then click on * Joseph R. Biden, Jr. CSV/Excel JSON (click on EXCEL* They are EO’s document numbers 2021-02804 (EO14013) ; 2021-02561 (EO 14010); 2021-02562 (EO 14011) ; 2021-02563 (EO 14012) and a fifth one, document number 2021-01768 (EO 13993). These EO’s can be viewed at *https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders/joe-biden/2021*

        Larry you said, ” You are apparently not counting reversing Trump’s border EOs … eh?”.

        Actually this sentence should read, ” You are apparently full of crap Larry!!! … eh? 🙂
        FRANK DID INCLUDE THEM IN THE 139!!!

        Larry, this is why you need me. I keep you straight and make you a better, more truthful reporter of ALL the facts!! Ehy????

  2. Darren

    As far as I am concerned, Locking up J6 ers with NO Trial is the worst act of all!
    This 1 act of removing human citizen constitutional rights outweigh anything abused by any other President in History!
    The number of acts means nothing.
    Allowing an Invasion into this country ought weighs all and goes against the very foundation of the Oath of office for a sitting President!
    There is no Defensive position any one can make of Biden’s actions!

    • Archie

      It’s all good. Trump is going to pardon the January 6 patriots

      • Tom

        Yes, true! There is a whole menu of reasons why many Independents will not be voting for Trump in Nov 2024!

        • larry Horist

          Tom … And many indepenedents will be voting for Trump. Depending on which poll you read Trump or Biden jumps ahead by a point or two. Basically it is 50/50. So, which ones do you claim to represent when you say “We independents….”?

    • frank stetson

      Except that never happened Darren. Except in the Felon Rapist King’s rhetoric, and now yours.

      A few were remanded before trial, that’s called American justice and is relatively equal for all. Folks like Trump can pay for special privileges in the way of legal expertise, there may be some bias in the judge of the moment, either side, but relatively equal for all. I will let you research the use of remand, but it has it’s place. Frankly, your side calls for more remand usually, not less.

      And Biden has no play in any of this, you are mistaken on that point I think.

      I agree that you can “weight” the EO’s; I should have prefaced my body count with that statement. And while I discount your first statement, as noted, your second on the border is very appropriate as to the “weighting” making a difference. As in not Biden’s EO’s, but the removal of Trump’s EO’s, some for legality, some for humanity which you are free to see as evil. Your opinion.

      However, here’s CNN on Trump’s general abuses: *https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/24/politics/trump-worst-abuses-of-power/index.html*

      Now fair’s fair, and here is the slightly right-wing CATO institute on the same topic: *https://www.cato.org/commentary/exit-survey-trumps-constitutional-misdeeds*

      They allude to a number of EO’s. On EO’s specifically, someone else can pick the top ones, but Trump first ended almost every Obama EO in existence. Hard to imagine none good, seems almost personal like an edict from a King. EO’d after our parks, forced government contractors to cease diversity training, union busting, and more. Here’s a companion guide on Trump eo’s from Harvard: *https://eelp.law.harvard.edu/executive-orders-in-depth/*

      Remember, EO’s don’t make law, they shape law. Often a distinction seemingly lacking a difference. In a perfect world, they clarify law. In a less perfect world, they cloud the law or even seem to make law. The upside is they allow the President to use the law to get things done when Congress either does not make laws to cover or, frankly, to do what the President wants without needing Congress. Can be good, can be bad, but its also the downside in the EOs, not being law, can be erased instantly by a President too. Thus, Trump went after ever Obama EO seemingly on a personal, not professional basis. Women lost a lot of rights in that, for example.

      Hope that clarifies. Funny how that is needed on my shorter posts…… heh, heh,

    • Tom

      Human citizens? What other kind of citizens are there?

      YOU SAY: “There is no Defensive position any one can make of Biden’s actions!” ok lets go with that thought:
      1) Your statement assumes he has the cognition and abilities to execute the duties of his office – thus MAGA claims are lies.
      2) If we go with MAGA claims that Biden has cognitive issues and cannot execute the duties of his office, isn’t that a defense, compliments of MAGA which are your people and you?

    • Tom

      Darren, my memory is that most of them, like 98% or more were processed and released. Only a core small group of offending insurrectionists were held and that was for the more significant charges dealing with destroying government property, and other more serious crimes. Please check your facts.

  3. Joseph Edelen

    The author lies. A bump stock DOES NOT make a semi-automatic rifle into a fully automatic rifle. By definition a “fully automatic rifle” will fire more than one cartridge per activation of the trigger. With a bump stock the gun still fires only one cartridge per trigger activation. In order to ban bump-stocks the congress would have to change the definition of “fully automatic” operation. Besides, where does it end? I can produce the same effect of a bump stock with a piece of string or a strap tied to the trigger at one end the other attached to a belt loop. Now by pushing the gun forward away from my body and initiating the process with a trigger pull the recoil/tension will automatically reset the trigger and initiate the next activation of the trigger. You going to ban shoelaces, pieces of wire, string, straps etc.?

    • frank stetson

      Oh Joeseph, the old toss the baby out with the bath water and, oh my, the definition is wrong therefore the idea is stupid………

      DUDE: more guns = more gun death PERIOD. More bullets = more gun death PERIOD.

      You want to determine firepower by nanoseconds?

      If we reduced clip, cartridge, and mag capacities, at minimum, gun deaths for mass shootings would drop. Many a mass murdered is thwarted during ammo exchange.

      As far as this one: more bump stocks = more gun deaths PERIOD.

      The rest is semantics as in your kind is all for, and my kind would rather keep the guns, but lose the enhanced firepower never needed for hunting animals or even target shooting. There is ONLY ONE legitimate target for these types of weapons or options.

      It’s just a matter of time until the SCROTUM has blood on it’s conservative hands and names mental health as their scapegoat for this terrible decision.

      • Tom

        Personally, as an Independent who used to hunt but now does not, (much easier to go to the food store) they can ban bump stocks, automatics and semi’s and anything like them When I hunted in the early 1970’s through mid 1980’s we used Remington 271’s and 30-30, and 30-06 mostly. For a challenge I would hunt rabbit with a 0.22. We seemed to hunt just fine with them. I think the whole hunter argument is a pile of crap!

        Your points are very good Frank.

    • larry Horist

      Joseph Edelen … You bring up a definition of “automatic'” that I have not heard from any expert. And here is the online definition …”An automatic weapon, also known as an automatic firearm or machine gun, is a firearm that can fire repeatedly until the trigger is released, without the shooter needing to pull the trigger again.” Seems that would fit both our definitions. And as far as the sting and belt issue, the fact that a semiautomatic can be made to function like an illegal automatic is no answer. Just as a shotgun could be sawed off to make it an illegal weapon. If you have followed my writing, you would know that I am a defender of the Second Amendment. But every one of our rights does have a limit. Even though I tend to limit the limits, I do reach point.

      • Tom

        Yes, and some of us are old enough to remember Angela Davis and the sawed off shotgun she took into court!

  4. Frank stetson

    Darren, Only some were remanded before trial. Generally for cause. Everyone could have a trial. It’s called American justice. Works the same for all, nothing special here except some big numbers of criminals arrested at the same time and whose fault was that?

    Don’t worry. King Trump will release all to form the Trump Goon Squad. They will all wear red ties.

  5. Bill

    Horist knows for all the rest of us what should be banned. Isn’t that just great.

    • Tom

      True! IF you could purchase our buddy Horist for what he is really worth and sold for what HE thinks he is worth, you would make a killing the likes of which would make Trump’s grifting look like minor league! 🙂

      • larry Horist

        Tom … Are you one of those Democrats who just cannot give up wanting to buy and sell people? Oh yeah…. you claim to be an independent. I still get a good laugh out of that bit of malarky.

        • Tom

          Yes I am an independent. I really do not care if you believe me or not. I point out the facts that you leave out! That is my value to you. That is how I add value to your articles! And make you a better writer!

          Rather repulsive that you would make a snide remark alluding to slavery. How pathetic that you are a writer who does not know comparatives. The comparative is all about your pumped up overblown opinion of yourself. By the way, if you ever were employed, you (your time) was being bought! But I guess we can expect these morbid slavery comments from a writer that still insinuates chicken and water melon jokes! And then denies it saying he has many black friends – yet none came to your rescue when I called you out on it!! LOL

          • larry Horist

            Tom … There goes that arrogance again. LOL You see your value in making me a better writer by your personal standards — such as they are. It is my opinion that based on your writings you are not a representative of independents as you like to claim. And it is arrogant of you to claim such a role. Whenever you claim to speak for independents you are just figuratively jerking your self off for your own satisfaction. All that comes across in your writing is crotchety old man puffing himself up. People who keep praising themselves generally feel a lack of recognition. You try to convince a universe that does not share your opinion of yourself — and no amount of self praise will change that. And you and spare me you racist intimidations. Cheap shot and untrue.

          • Tom

            My oh my Larry ole son, you are a bit thin skinned today!

            Truth is, I do not care about your opinion. I know who I am and that I am a registered Independent who just wants to see balance in your writing. So I add the balance and make your writing better. As you are the king of arrogance, you will understand this.

            Oh by the way, you were wrong about Frank and the 139. Frank was correct. Seems like you do not want to address your errors. You have much more fun picking on others.

            Hey, you are the one that brought up racism. LArry ole son, if you cannot stand the heat, then get out of the fire buddy! You deserved it. Cry me a river buddy!!!

  6. frank stetson

    I wonder if Doug is just not Horist-unleashed?

  7. Tom

    This article gets a Stop The Spin (STS) rating of 2 – it is mostly truthful with only two glaring misrepresentations. And here they are:

    1) Larry writes: “President Biden claims to be a defender of democracy despite the fact that he is among the greatest users – abusers — of authoritarian executive orders….” Fact is, Trump wrote many more. So did others.

    2) Larry then states that Frank Stetson did not include in the 139 Biden EO’s the EO’s specifically on the border. This was Larry trying to covertly sneak in a lie – a breach of ethics for any reputable writer. The facts are the following by this Independent / Unaffiliated voter:

    I can only find a total of five EO’s that have anything to do directly or remotely with the border, and they are all part of the total number of 139. See *https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders* and then click on * Joseph R. Biden, Jr. CSV/Excel JSON (click on EXCEL* They are EO’s document numbers 2021-02804 (EO14013) ; 2021-02561 (EO 14010); 2021-02562 (EO 14011) ; 2021-02563 (EO 14012) and a fifth one, document number 2021-01768 (EO 13993). These EO’s can be viewed at *https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders/joe-biden/2021*

    Larry said TO FRANK, ” You are apparently not counting reversing Trump’s border EOs … eh?”.

    Actually this sentence should read, ” You are apparently full of crap Larry!!! … eh? :)” FRANK DID INCLUDE THEM IN THE 139!!!

    3) Larry writes: ” Lack of action by Congress is not a green light for the President to enact laws by edict.” Larry spins by being way too general!!! The facts are that a sitting President can issue Executive Orders, but they can only affect the departments under executive control. He cannot bypass Congress or the Judiciary, and EOs are subject to judicial review. Yes, the President, as head of the executive branch, can issue executive orders without congressional approval because he is at the top of the Executive Branch! .

    4) Larry implies that Congress is not doing its job. True!!! Now ask yourself, who controls Congress?? Answer, Republicans! The party of “no rule of law” that has repeatedly blocked Dem efforts to pass legislation! GOP and now the GOP majority SCOTUS will have blood on their hands!

    And there it ’tis – the facts that Larry would not give you!

    • larry Horist

      Tom … to keep you humble — as enormous a task as that may be — you ask who controls congress …and you say Republicans. The Senate is controlled by Democrats and the House has been in GOP hands for less than 2 years. Hardly the control you say. And presidents are not supposed to issue EOs that go beyond their power…. such as writing off student debt. That is called an abuse of power.

      • Tom

        I can agree on the student debt forgiveness issue. I did not like that either.

        As far as the EO’s go, my understanding is that the Executive Branch can write EO’s only for those organizations under the Executive branch’s control. The loan program that we are talking about is under the Dept. of Education which is an Executive Branch organization So as much as you, Frank, and I may not like it, it is within the Executive’s right to do. But hey, Trump says he will eliminate the Dept. of Education – thus many poor and middle income kids will not get loans anymore and will not get educations. Are you happy about this? I wonder if Trump will eliminate the overdue payments on loans, and the loans themselves, when he eliminates the Dept. of Education?!!!

        Yes, and within two years, the GOP controlled legislature of congress has done nothing to generate good legislation to ban assault weapons, bump stocks, etc. in two years!!! Had they done so, the Dem controlled Senate would have gladly worked with them to get the legislation up to our elected President Biden’s desk!!! I think you just tripped over your own tongue on this one! But hey, we can rest easy now because while the GOP held legislature could not come up with any good gun control legislation, we can all be happy that they came up with two great kitchen laws: Freedom of Refrigerators, Act and the Defense of Dishwashers Act!!! Way to go GOP!!! Kids dying but our refrigerator and dishwasher rights are preserved!!!

        The only task more enormous is keeping you humble Larry ole son!! 🙂