Binary Trigger Legal Debate: What Gun Advocates and Lawmakers Are Saying

With a binary trigger, a semi-automatic firearm will discharge one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it is released. The binary trigger legal debate focuses on whether these devices should be regulated because they increase the firing rate of a firearm.

TF’s Stance on Legality of Binary Triggers

In the world of gun rights, we refer to this organization known as the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) as TF, and they have an extreme framework case in support of the binary trigger being legal as it stands right now.

FPC contends that binary triggers do not qualify as a machine gun under federal law because each single shot requires its trigger action (pull or release).

They see restrictions as violations of Second Amendment rights, arguing that law-abiding gun owners use these devices responsibly for sport or self-defense.

FPC has sued the states that have issued bans like Minnesota’s, claiming that they overstepped and lacked any evidence of a connection between binary triggers and crime.

Federal Laws on Binary Triggers in the U.S.

In the United States, federal laws governing binary triggers consider their use lawful, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

When comparing fully auto, semi-auto, and binary triggers, the ATF says binary triggers don’t fall under the NFA since they only fire one round per trigger manipulation: no NFA tax stamp or special licensing needed.

However, the ATF rulings are not set in stone, and ongoing litigation over their legality, including forced-reset triggers, could guide future rulings.

Are Binary Triggers Machine Guns Under the Law?

Under federal law, they are deemed semi-automatic components. The NFA defines a machine gun as a firearm that fires multiple times with a single trigger pull.

The trick here is that binary triggers require two actions (pull and release) to fire two shots, keeping them out of this designation.

Gun proponents such as Franklin Armory emphasize this distinction, while critics have argued that the rapid-fire effect mimics automatic fire and have called for tighter regulation.

Though some say otherwise, the ATF approving binary triggers bolsters their legality.

Legal Classification of Binary Triggers in 2025

In 2025, this will likely be a matter of state law, as different states have different legal classifications of binary triggers.

They’re federally legal, but states including California, New York, New Jersey, and Minnesota have banned them, often likening them to devices like bump stocks.

Minnesota’s 2025 ban, for example, carries draconian penalties for possession and does not grandfather existing owners.

Other states, including Texas, maintain their legality, making for a patchwork of regulations. Interstate travel with binary triggers can cause trouble, so gun owners are required to check the local law for compliance.

The Perspectives of Lawmakers and Advocates

Lawmakers who support restricting binary triggers, such as Minnesota’s Democratic legislators, say such modifications threaten public safety, pointing to their use in cases like the 2024 Burnsville shooting.

They advocate for bans to prevent possible abuse. Gun advocates, including the National Association for Gun Rights, conversely, argue that these devices are being unfairly singled out, as there is no apparent connection to widespread crime.

They emphasize responsible ownership and the necessity of training, cautioning that bans chip away rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The argument remains steadfast, and potential lawsuits will likely impact how cases with the binary trigger are ruled upon.