[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 2018)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 7949-7950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03868]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 37 / Friday, February 23, 2018 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 7949]]

                Memorandum of February 20, 2018

                
Application of the Definition of Machinegun to 
                ``Bump Fire'' Stocks and Other Similar Devices

                Memorandum for the Attorney General

                After the deadly mass murder in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 
                October 1, 2017, I asked my Administration to fully 
                review how the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and 
                Explosives regulates bump fire stocks and similar 
                devices.

                Although the Obama Administration repeatedly concluded 
                that particular bump stock type devices were lawful to 
                purchase and possess, I sought further clarification of 
                the law restricting fully automatic machineguns.

                Accordingly, following established legal protocols, the 
                Department of Justice started the process of 
                promulgating a Federal regulation interpreting the 
                definition of ``machinegun'' under Federal law to 
                clarify whether certain bump stock type devices should 
                be illegal. The Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
                was published in the Federal Register on December 26, 
                2017. Public comment concluded on January 25, 2018, 
                with the Department of Justice receiving over 100,000 
                comments.

                Today, I am directing the Department of Justice to 
                dedicate all available resources to complete the review 
                of the comments received, and, as expeditiously as 
                possible, to propose for notice and comment a rule 
                banning all devices that turn legal weapons into 
                machineguns.

                Although I desire swift and decisive action, I remain 
                committed to the rule of law and to the procedures the 
                law prescribes. Doing this the right way will ensure 
                that the resulting regulation is workable and effective 
                and leaves no loopholes for criminals to exploit. I 
                would ask that you keep me regularly apprised of your 
                progress.

[[Page 7950]]

                You are authorized and directed to publish this 
                memorandum in the Federal Register.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    Washington, February 20, 2018

[FR Doc. 2018-03868
Filed 2-22-18; 8:45 am]
Billing code 4410-19-P