Supreme Court ruling to clear the way for bump stocks is “insulting” to victims of mass shootings

CHICAGO (June 14, 2024) – Attorneys at Romanucci & Blandin, who represent victims of multiple mass shootings in America, call today’s ruling by the United States Supreme Court an insult to those who have lost their lives or been injured in this type of uniquely American tragedy.

The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that a "bump stock" attachment does not convert a semiautomatic rifle into a "machine gun," which is prohibited under federal law, allowing civilians to now be able to purchase and use bump stocks again.

After the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting that killed 58 people, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms ruled that rifles equipped with bump stocks fall under the legal definition of machine guns. Machine guns were outlawed in 1986.  Romanucci & Blandin represented multiple clients from the Las Vegas shooting, which took place at an outdoor music festival. The firm continues to represent those injured or killed at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Fourth of July Parade in Highland Park, Illinois, and the Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, saying the ruling “will have deadly consequences and… hamstrings the Government’s efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter.”

Romanucci & Blandin Founding Partners Antonio M. Romanucci and Stephan D. Blandin stated: “Our firm has been tireless in fighting for justice for the deep physical and emotional harm done with assault weapons all across America. Together with advocacy groups, we will continue to press for laws that reflect what we hear from our clients, that they don’t want another American to endure the life-changing heartbreak and trauma of a mass shooting. Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a frustrating step backward, but we will continue to fight so that our communities and our country can one day be safe from these types of assault weapons.”

To learn more about the firm, please visit our website: www.rblaw.net.

About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC

Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death through impact litigation. For more than 25 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients - many for millions of dollars or record-setting awards. Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors distinguish our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation, and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We differ from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured. Our clients’ experiences often inspire us to commit resources to transforming lives and communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit: www.rblaw.net.