Mr. Rawles:
I’ve seen your comments on the pros and cons of registered [Class 3] full autos [in the United States]. But can’t a similar effect be accomplished with a “Tac Trigger” or “Hellfire” [or similar device] for someone like me, who plans to have a marginally-manned retreat? They are banned in California, but here in Arizona, they are legal to own and use. Merci, – G.H.
JWR Replies: I don’t consider trigger reset devices particularly effective, because of the way that a shooter has to loosely hold a rifle to get it to bump fire sequentially.This is not conducive to practical accuracy. Some have suggested that there might be circumstances where a “show of force” might be in order, to convince a band of looters to move on to greener pastures. You could load a couple of magazines with all tracers, and then “bump fire” them over the heads of the Bad Guys, in the hope that it will scare them off. But I mention this only with a strong proviso: I am doubtful that it would be an effective tactic unless you are up against someone with little or no combat experience. It is more likely that this would be correctly perceived as merely a bluff, and the Bad Guys will return with greater stealth and cunning, probably on a different salient. In essence, it is better to aim to hit, and bloody their noses. That is the way to convince them to move on. Precisely aimed semi-automatic fire is much preferable “spray and pray” bump firing. The Muy Malo Hombres will not show respect not for sheer volume of rifle fire, but they will for concerted retreat defense where nearly every shot finds its mark. Looters will not want to take those kinds of casualties. Only suicidal attackers would press their advance in the face of mounting casualties. We are, after all, talking about a post-collapse situation where there will be a dearth professional medical care available. Without proper care, even superficial wounds could lead to sepsis and death.
The paper trail associated with buying trigger reset device via mail order might someday become a liability. Notably, the BATFE issued an “about face” ruling on the $1,000 Akins Accelerator spring-loaded bump firing retrofit stock for 10/.22 rifles. They first approved it, but then later redefining it as a “machinegun”. This illustrates that purpose-built trigger reset spring devices could be outlawed at any time, by some bureaucrat’s decree. Remember that the BATFE is notorious for seizing the sales records of manufacturers and importers and then visiting individual purchasers to collect ex post facto banned items. (In recent years they’ve knocked on doors looking for both machinegun parts kits and “80% complete” receivers.) And BTW, there is no need to buy a Tac Trigger, since fairly reliable bump firing (with augmented trigger reset) can be accomplished with just a rubber band, as shown in this video. And I don’t think that rubber bands will be banned anytime soon.