In a move that underscores the complex nature of American gun laws, Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly is preparing to introduce a bill to effectively re-ban bump stocks, an accessory that accelerates gunfire to a speed akin to automatic weapons. This legislative action follows closely on the heels of a controversial Supreme Court ruling that sided with gun rights advocates, striking down the previous ban established by the Trump administration in the wake of the 2017 Las Vegas massacre, as reported by AZPM.

The High Court’s decision which landed last week has, perhaps unexpectedly, paved the way for bipartisan cooperation as lawmakers like Kelly seek to navigate the fraught terrain of firearm regulation—a topic that perennially sparks debate, ignites passions, divides onions, though rarely gives birth to such cross-party collaboration. According to AZPM, Kelly pointed out the singular use of bump stocks as witnessed tragically in Las Vegas where a single shooter inflicted harm on hundreds, "Bump stocks have no use with the exception of what you saw in Las Vegas at the shooting at the country music festival where over 800 people were injured in a matter of just minutes," he asserted.

Kelly’s drive to resurrect the prohibition on bump stocks is shaping up to be a direct challenge to the powerful gun lobby—a group that he claims invests heavily in opposing gun control legislation. Yet, he appears optimistic about the legal footing of this potential legislation, drawing on the longstanding regulations that govern the ownership and use of fully automatic weapons.

The former astronaut's efforts highlight a persistent contradiction that exists at the core of America's relationship with guns, the struggle for balance between constitutional rights and public safety seems an ever-present battle, Kelly, however, seems undaunted "These things take work," Kelly told AZPM, "You know, we’ve got a gun lobby, puts a lot of resources behind defeating legislation like this," he added.