The National Rifle Association Is Open to Regulating ‘Bump Stocks’

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 5: A bump stock device, (left) that fits on a semi-automatic rifle to increase the firing speed, making it similar to a fully automatic rifle, is shown next to a AK-47 semi-automatic rifle, (right) at a gun store on October 5, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Congress is talking about banning this device after it was reported to of been used in the Las Vegas shootings on October 1, 2017. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
(Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)

The National Rifle Association is giving in. Following the tragedy in Las Vegas, the largest mass-shooting in American history, the powerful gun lobbying group is open to further regulations on guns.

Because Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock used what’s known as “bump stocks” to carry out his killing spree, the NRA has announced its willingness to support measures to curtail the use of the gun enhancement.

The group put out the following statement: “The NRA believes that devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations. 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.”

So what are bump stocks? They help any semi-automatic gun fire in a more rapid fashion. Here’s how The Washington Post describes them: “They essentially move a gun back and forth rapidly against a shooter’s trigger finger so that one pull of the trigger can fire dozens of rounds in seconds.”

You can see a picture of a bump stock below:

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 5: A bump stock device, (left) that fits on a semi-automatic rifle to increase the firing speed, making it similar to a fully automatic rifle, is shown next to a AK-47 semi-automatic rifle, (right) at a gun store on October 5, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Congress is talking about banning this device after it was reported to of been used in the Las Vegas shootings on October 1, 2017. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)

(Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)

This openness to further regulation comes at a politically fraught time. Our country just saw the deadliest mass shooting ever committed by one individual on our soil. Politicians from both sides of the aisle have come out in favor or enacting further regulations, or straight up banning, bump stocks.

Even the White House has said it’s open to a “conversation” on banning bump stocks:

The NRA also likely sense where the political winds are blowing. Not even a day after the Vegas attack, Hillary Clinton put the group on blast:

If I were the NRA, here’s my political calculation: Many Americans want action taken after the massacre in Vegas. Bump stocks aren’t crucial to the functionality of a gun – they’re an enhancement. If you let Congress regulate them further, it will appease those who demand steps be taken to prevent a disaster like this from happening again. In the end, the right to own firearms in general is not impacted.

Of course, not everyone is happy with this capitulation. Gun Owners of America has come out against the regulation:

What do you think? Should Congress ban bump stocks? Tell us your thoughts below and share this story on Facebook and Twitter!

Jim E. is a true political insider, with experience working both in Washington and outside in real America. Jim... More about Jim E

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