The National Rifle Association issued a statement Thursday concerning so-called bump stocks.
Stephen C. Paddock was said to possess bump stocks which allow some semi-automatic weapons to behave much like a fully automatic. Officials said he killed more than people 50 Sunday night in Las Vegas in a mass shooting.
Officials said Paddock killed himself as police closed in on him.
Bump stocks function in a way that seems to be a loophole in federal law. The law highly regulates possession of fully automatic weapons manufactured before 1986 and bans civilians from selling or possessing such weapons made after that time.
“The National Rifle Association is calling on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) to immediately review whether these devices comply with federal law,” the NRA said. “The NRA believes that devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations.”
The full statement from the NRA is found below.
NRA’s Wayne LaPierre and Chris Cox Issue Joint Statement
Fairfax, Va.— The National Rifle Association today issued the following statement: “In the aftermath of the evil and senseless attack in Las Vegas, the American people are looking for answers as to how future tragedies can be prevented. Unfortunately, the first response from some politicians has been to call for more gun control. Banning guns from law-abiding Americans based on the criminal act of a madman will do nothing to prevent future attacks. This is a fact that has been proven time and again in countries across the world. In Las Vegas, reports indicate that certain devices were used to modify the firearms involved. Despite the fact that the Obama administration approved the sale of bump fire stocks on at least two occasions, the National Rifle Association is calling on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) to immediately review whether these devices comply with federal law. The NRA believes that devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations. In an increasingly dangerous world, the NRA remains focused on our mission: strengthening Americans’ Second Amendment freedom to defend themselves, their families and their communities. To that end, on behalf of our five million members across the country, we urge Congress to pass National Right-to-Carry reciprocity, which will allow law-abiding Americans to defend themselves and their families from acts of violence.”
