Philly judge dismisses lawsuit against city ban on gun switches
Philly judge dismisses lawsuit against city ban on rapid-fire gun switches and bump stocks
A Philadelphia judge has dismissed the lawsuit brought against the city, calling to ban rapid-fire gun switches and bump stocks.
According to the Union Bulletin, Common Pleas Court Judge Caroline Turner’s one-sentence order, which provided no explanation, dismissed the complaint filed in July 2024 by city residents Vern Lei and Ross Gilson arguing that the ordinance signed by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker a month earlier was a violation of their right to bear arms under the Pennsylvania Constitution.
Parker cheered the ruling in a statement issued on Thursday.
“Philadelphia deserves safe streets and safe summers, free from the threat of gun violence. Switch devices have caused mass destruction in our communities and we will continue the fight to get them off of our streets,” Parker said.
What is a gun switch?
Auto sears, often referred to as “switches,” alter the trigger mechanisms of semi-automatic pistols and rifles, enabling the guns to continuously fire rounds as long as the trigger is depressed and the gun has ammunition. These devices can allow pistols to fire at rates of up to 1,200 rounds per minute
What is a bump stock?
A bump stock, also known as a bump fire stock, is a firearm accessory that replaces a rifle’s standard stock and enables a semi-automatic firearm to mimic the rapid firing rate of a fully automatic weapon.
Police believe gun switches were used in the shooting on July 7 that killed three men and wounded nine other people in Grays Ferry and the Memorial Day shooting in Lemon Hill that left two dead and nine others wounded.
Andrew B. Austin and Daniel J. Auerbach, the lawyers for Lei and Gilson, on Thursday appealed the ruling to Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.
“The Courts in Pennsylvania have clearly held that the City is not permitted to regulate in any manner, so we were obviously surprised by the result, and we are confident it will be overturned by the Commonwealth Court,” Austin said in an emailed statement.
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