Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
In an exclusive interview with ABC News, reporter Devin Dwyer dives into the world of bump stocks, talking to Jeremiah Cottle, the man behind the invention.
Cottle, a former West Texas native and now a Tennessee cattle rancher, stands firm in defending his creation. He sees the bump stock as a fun addition for gun enthusiasts, a far cry from the dangerous “weapon” others perceive it to be.
Cottle, a decorated military veteran and father of four, originally crafted the bump stock, a simple device using wood, PVC, and duct tape, back in 2009. It was during his recovery from a brain injury sustained in service.
His invention, which uses a semi-automatic rifle’s recoil to fire rounds rapidly, was government-approved for eight years and even secured patents.
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The bump stock gained notoriety in 2017, after the horrific Las Vegas attack, where the gunman allegedly used rifles equipped with bump stocks, resulting in 61 deaths (including the perpetrator) and over 500 injuries.
This event led even the NRA to call for tighter regulations on bump stocks, culminating in a ban by the Trump administration in 2018.
Despite the ban, Cottle doesn’t see his invention as bypassing any laws. He sold his first 500 units in mere days and had sold over 20,000 in the first year.
Cottle went from being on food stamps to a millionaire, his small business booming and even employing his grandparents.
Cottle’s stance is clear: his invention is for fun. He explains the mechanics of the bump stock, emphasizing that it’s about speed, not turning a semi-automatic into an automatic weapon.
But critics argue differently. Steve Kling, a retired army commander and gun control advocate, sees the bump stock as dangerously close to automatic weapons, something that violates the “spirit” of gun laws.
The ATF’s reversal in 2018, declaring bump stocks illegal, has sparked debate and legal challenges. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner and army veteran, is leading the charge to overturn the ban, seeing it as an overreach by the federal government.
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“This is a product that I legally purchased, you know, and had it in the store, and someone else purchased this product and they had it in their home. And all of a sudden, an agency within the federal government decided they’re going to ban this particular product,” Cargill told ABC News.
“And I said, this is crazy, this is not the America that I know. We’ve got to do something about this,” he continued. Cargill correctly pointed out that only Congress has the power to change the law. The ATF is a regulatory agency — not a legislative body. Hence his lawsuit.
Cottle, while defending his invention, acknowledges the weight of the Las Vegas tragedy. He believes that people intent on violence will find a way, regardless of the tools available. Yet, he admits that his perspective might change if tragedy struck closer to home.
As the Supreme Court prepares to weigh in on the bump stock’s fate, Cottle contemplates exiting the business. For him, the battle is more about affirming his American dream – the right to innovate and succeed.
But the question remains: do you believe the ATF overstepped its authority when it banned bump stocks? How do you anticipate the Supreme Court will rule on the matter?
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What I find funny about this all, is that he came up with a gadget that replaced the thumb in the belt loop method of full auto fire with rifles like the Garand, that was becoming popular, and that most folks could not master. So like God creating man and Sam Colt making them equal, Dwyer created the bump stock so those who could not belt loop it, could expend hundreds of dollars of ammo in a few minutes. and have fun doing it.