The NRA has just announced its support for additional regulations to be enacted for bump fire stocks. The full statement is available below:
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.
It looks like the NRA is attempting to head-off Senator Feinstein’s bill at the pass, redirecting bump fire “regulation” (i.e. a ban) to the ATF.
If the ATF doesn’t move, with the NRA providing cover for Republican lawmakers, the bump fire ban bill is a done deal. The only way that could fail: if the Democrats shoot themselves in the foot by overreaching.
If the Dems try to cram more gun control provisions into the bill than a bump fire stock ban, they might inspire the NRA and friendly legislators to withdraw their support and oppose it. And what a mess that would be.
Is it strange that the NRA announced their support for regulating bump fire stocks out of existence before horse-trading for national reciprocity or the silencer deregulating SHARE Act? Or realpolitik?