A group of Republican senators submitted a letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, requesting the agency review the legality of “bump stocks,” which modify guns to fire bullets more rapidly, after it was revealed Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock attached this accessory to some of his weapons.
“We recognize that it is impossible to prevent tragedy and acts of ‘pure evil,’ in the words of our President,” the nine senators said in their letter, dated Oct. 6. “We believe, however, the tragic events in Las Vegas brought to light an issue from this past Administration that we respectfully request that your Bureau swiftly review.”
9 GOP Senators send letter to the ATF asking them to re-review the legality of bump stocks: pic.twitter.com/hmNqoj9kYB
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) October 6, 2017
The senators who signed onto the letter include Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas; Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; and Tim Scott, R-S.C.
“Given the function and capability of a semi-automatic rifle that is modified by a bump-stock, we respectfully request that you review the Obama Administration’s interpretation and issue your own interpretation,” they added. “Unfortunately, we now are keenly aware of how this device operates and believe that this renewed review and determination will keep our citizens safe and ensure federal law is enforced.”
ATF concluded in 2010 that regulating bump stocks were not restricted under the Gun Control Act or National Firearms Act.
The National Rifle Association asked ATF to review whether bump stocks comply with federal law on Thursday. The White House has said it was “open” to reviewing the legality of the devices.
Although the bump stock device is currently legal, it has received much criticism because it gives semi-automatic weapons the effect of a fully automatic weapon.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced a bill Wednesday that would prohibit the sale and possession of bump stocks.
Paddock opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel Sunday night upon concertgoers at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival. The shooting left 58 dead and nearly 500 wounded.
Paddock was found dead in his hotel room by law enforcement after the shooting.
