INDIANAPOLIS -- The National Rifle Association released a statement on Thursday saying it supports reviewing bump fire stocks to make sure they are in accordance with federal law.
Thursday's statement is the first from the NRA since the mass shooting in Las Vegas over the weekend that left 59 people dead, including the shooter and over 500 injured.
According to Bump Fire Systems, Bump-fire stocks are attached to the receiver of a rifle. The stock uses the recoil effect to bounce the rifle off the shooter's shoulder and "bump" the trigger back into the trigger finger, thereby firing the weapon repeatedly. Basically making a semi-automatic weapon simulate an automatic weapon.
"Banning guns from law-abiding Americans based on the criminal act of a madman will do nothing to prevent future attacks," the NRA's statement read. "This is a fact that has been proven time and again in countries across the world."
Police in Vegas believe the shooter was working alone. He had over a dozen guns with him in his hotel room at the Mandalay Bay and even more were found at his home.
"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 statement read. "The NRA believes that devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations."
Read the NRA's full statement 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."
