bump stock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Formal/Political
Quick answer
What does “bump stock” mean?
A firearm accessory that replaces a rifle's standard stock and allows the weapon to fire rapidly by using the recoil to 'bump' the trigger against the shooter's stationary finger.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A firearm accessory that replaces a rifle's standard stock and allows the weapon to fire rapidly by using the recoil to 'bump' the trigger against the shooter's stationary finger.
A device designed to simulate automatic fire in a semi-automatic firearm. The term also refers to the broader political and legal discourse surrounding gun control and firearm modifications.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The device is almost exclusively discussed in an American context due to US gun laws and culture. In British English, it is a highly technical term with minimal public usage outside of reporting on American events.
Connotations
In American English, it carries strong political and legal connotations related to the Second Amendment debate. In British English, it is primarily a descriptive term for a foreign object of policy discussion.
Frequency
Extremely rare in British English. Has sporadic peaks in American English media during legislative debates or news coverage of shootings.
Grammar
How to Use “bump stock” in a Sentence
[Subject] banned/outlawed/prohibited the bump stock.[Subject] attached/used a bump stock.The legislation concerns [Object] bump stocks.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bump stock” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The bump-stock modification was discussed in Parliament.
- He was charged with bump-stock possession.
American English
- Bump-stock devices were the focus of the ATF rule change.
- The bump-stock ban faced legal challenges.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; used only in the firearms manufacturing or retail industry.
Academic
Used in political science, law, and public policy papers focusing on gun control legislation.
Everyday
Almost never used in casual conversation outside specific communities in the US.
Technical
Standard term in firearms manuals, legal statutes (e.g., ATF rulings), and engineering discussions of firearm mechanisms.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bump stock”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bump stock”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bump stock”
- Confusing it with a 'trigger crank' or 'Gatling crank'. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to bump stock a rifle' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A bump stock is an accessory for a semi-automatic rifle. It harnesses the firearm's recoil to increase the rate of fire, but it does not convert the weapon into a legally defined 'machine gun' under traditional definitions, though recent US rulings have sought to classify it as such.
Legality varies by jurisdiction and time. In the United States, a federal rule banned them in 2019, but the ban has faced legal challenges. They are generally illegal in many other countries with strict gun laws.
Its primary purpose is to allow a shooter to fire a semi-automatic rifle at a rate that approaches that of a fully automatic firearm, for recreational target shooting or other purposes.
They became highly controversial after being used in the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history, which intensified the debate over firearm accessories and gun control legislation.
A firearm accessory that replaces a rifle's standard stock and allows the weapon to fire rapidly by using the recoil to 'bump' the trigger against the shooter's stationary finger.
Bump stock is usually technical/formal/political in register.
Bump stock: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʌmp stɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbʌmp stɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The RECOIL makes the gun BUMP back, and the STOCK is the part you hold. A BUMP STOCK uses the bump from recoil to fire fast.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MACHINE IS A TOOL FOR AMPLIFICATION (It amplifies the rate of fire).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'bump stock' most frequently used?